Treating back and shingles pain, pros and cons of colonic cleansing

By Jonathan Evans Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium Special to PRIME Dear Jonathan, I have had several back surgeries over the years and my pain is getting worse. I have been taking 1,800 milligrams of calcium a day as was recommended, but my bone structure is not improving. I can t sit for very long, and sleep is almost impossible. I am afraid to use a lot of painkillers because I am afraid to get hooked. Is there anything you can suggest? Phyllis Dear Phyllis, I can sum it up in one word Magnesium, Magnesium, Magnesium. From your letter and the amount of calcium you are taking I can guess you are taking a carbonate form of calcium, which in your case, as proven by your body, is useless. According to Mildred Seelig, MD, a leading magnesium researcher at the University of North Carolina, many people needlessly suffer pain " including fibromyalgia, migraines, muscle cramps " because they don t get enough magnesium. Lawrence Resnick, MD, Professor of Medicine at Cornell Medical Center said many people worsen the problem by loading up on too much calcium, which flushes magnesium from the cells. By changing your mineral supplement, you will probably be able to improve your bone health and the magnesium will help to relax your muscles and improve your sleep. We have loads of information available at the Herbarium. Depending on your back and the types of surgery you had, there are other nerve tonics such as Dr. Clayton s NERVE-EASE, or Jamaican Dogwood or California Poppy to help with nerve pain. Jonathan Dear Jonathan, I had shingles two years ago and still have a lot of nerve pain. Is that possible? Is there anything that I could use to help get rid of this? Connie Dear Connie, Yes it is possible. We have had customers who told us they had pain for nearly five years after the shingles went away. For pain relief, we have used Jamican Dogwood for many years with very good results. California Poppy is another herbal that works well, and my wife, Clinical Aromatherapist Kathleen Duffy, has recommended a massage oil with Rose Geranium Oil( Pelargonium graveolens). Studies have shown it to be very effective for post herpetic pain. Jonathan Dear Jonathan, I received a brochure in the mail regarding colon cleansing. I also see a lot of TV shows talking about how important it is. Is it really that important to clean your colon? Do we really have all those toxins and buildup in our intestines? I would like to try it for my mother, who has lots of constipation issues. Marian Dear Marian, Let me address your questions slowly. First, throw the brochure away if you did not request the information Second my rule of thumb is believe 50 percent of what they say, and do not buy their product. Third, If you have ever had a colonoscopy, you might have noticed a loss of three-to-five pounds while you were prepping for the procedure. That would be reasonable, but 22 pounds of spackle ? Someone is full of it, but it is not you. Fourth, You need to check with your mothers doctor and the pharmacist to see if her constipation is due to her medications, and what might be done from that angle. Fifth, there are some colon cleansing products which are safe and gentle, but you won t find them on the television infomercials. In some cases, a detoxifying formula would kill two birds with one stone. Something like Milk Thistle could clean the liver and as a side effect, make her bowel movements easier. Lastly, doing a cleanse, like spring and fall house cleaning, is not a bad idea, depending on your situation. Do not fall for the advertising that preys on your fear and anxiety. Moderation is a good approach. Jonathan Allergy season awaits! For you allergy sufferers, this is the perfect time to begin your allergy supplements. Products such as Dr Claytons SINUS ADE, Buried Treasure ALLEREZE, or HERBARIUM S ALLER CALM can help prepare you for the coming burst of pollen from trees and grasses. It is a good idea to begin now, and build up your resistance. This approach can really make spring allergy season more comfortable for you 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