By Jonathan Evans
Herbal Information Specialist for The Herbarium
Happy May! This month the column is dedicated to answering some of the questions I’ve received from readers. If you have an alternative medicine question, please feel free to send it along, and you might see it here in a future column. Email and regular mail contact information is listed at the end of this month’s column.
Dear Jonathan,
I have warts on my hands. They are not painful unless I bump them, but they are unsightly. I have tried over the counter remedies, and even had them burnt off but they keep returning. Is there anything that can actually get rid of them?
— Linda
Dear Linda,
Yes, there are a few alternative ways to help rid your hands of warts.
First off, let’s talk about what causes warts – they are caused by viruses. You can get warts if you come in contact with someone who has them, and perhaps have abraded skin at the time. An activity such as shaking hands or using a towel that they used, for example, can spread warts.
As far as treatments go, some folks have used apple cider vinegar topically. My favorite approach is using mullein flower oil, or mullein and garlic oil. To do so, soak the affected area in warm water to soften up the wart head, and gently buff it with an emery board or pumice stone. Apply the mullein oil and let it soak in and cover with a bandage. It is especially good to do this at bedtime, that way the oil will be in contact longer. The oil application will help your body grow new tissue under the wart and eventually push it out root and all. It takes six to eight weeks, but it works. Using a combination of garlic and mullein oil can speed up the process, as the garlic is also anti-viral.
We have seen people use the peel of an orange, applied to the wart, and drinking water from a holy well. Granted these last two are a bit esoteric, but they have also worked. You can also do capsules of olive leaf or oregano oil, which are potent antiviral herbs.
— Jonathan
Dear Jonathan,
I have arthritis in both knees and some other joints. I am not overweight, but every time I climb stairs or get up from a chair, my knees crack.
I have used prescription drugs and some things I saw on television which don’t work very well. Is there anything at the Herbarium that can help?
— Rose
Dear Rose,
Your problem is a common one. One of the best things to stop the cracking of knees is hyaluronic acid. It helps lubricate the joints by bringing the synovial fluid to the articular joints. The hyaluronic acid works as a shock absorber by holding water in the joint fluid and cartilage and cushions the joints. It is also helpful for the vitreous humor in the eye and in the skin. This is why you now see a lot of skin care products with hyaluronic acid in them.
There are also other supplements that can help with fighting inflammation and pain. Boswellia serrata is specific for rheumatoid arthritis and has been shown to significantly reduce the need for anti-inflammatory drugs, it is also believed to increase blood flow to joints and reduce morning stiffness. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane ) is a sulfur compound that helps the connective tissue and improves joint mobility of the knee.
Topically, we have found an excellent pain reliever called Cobrazol. It is a homeopathic formula using many traditional inflammatory ingredients plus three very special ones. Three types of snake venom are also included in the formula. This tidbit of information makes some folks leery about using it, but once they do, they are fully on board. There are a wide variety of supplements we use for osteo and rheumatoid arthritis and will be a topic for a future column.
— Jonathan
Dear Jonathan,
I have a big problem with body odor. I have tried numerous anti perspirants to no avail, plus I sweat profusely and get underarm rashes. Are there any natural deodorants that can help.?
— Jerry
Dear Jerry,
Here are a couple of suggestions. Antiperspirants are not something I carry, but there are deodorants that may help.
First, try taking zinc supplements. The old saying “if you stink, you need zinc” holds true. A potassium salt crystal deodorant can eliminate the smell and the rash. There is another product that we found that contains only natural ingredients that are the cleanest product we have ever seen. You literally could eat this stuff; it is that clean.
If you sweat excessively try drinking two cups of cold sage tea daily. It’s an old remedy but it does work well.
— Jonathan
Send questions on botanical remedies to: Nature’s RX: Jonathan Evans at Herbarium258@gmail.com, or by regular mail to: The Herbarium, 254 Exchange St., Chicopee MA 01013. If requesting information, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
