Nature's RX: Readers ask about - Echinacea & allergies, Glucosamine safety

By Jonathan Evans Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium, Special to PRIME Dear Jonathan, I suffer from osteoarthritis. My Knees are very bad and the doctor says injections are the next step. I have wanted to use glucosamine but I am allergic to sulfur. Is there any substitute? Dorothy, Agawam Dear Dorothy, I hear this quite often, and it is a result of miscommunication. People who say they are allergic to sulfur actually mean Sulfa, a category of pharmaceutical medicines, or Sulfite containing food additives. This is not Sulfur. Sulfur is the eighth most common element on earth. The sulfate form of sulfur is present in human blood. It is in garlic and eggs. Glucosamine sulfate is very well tolerated and no allergic reactions have been reported, except for people who have shellfish allergies. You sound like a good candidate for GS. If you have shellfish allergies, then a vegan form of glucosamine is available. Interestingly , the use of aspirin and NSAIDs are actually contributing to and accelerating joint destruction, according to Dr. Michael Murray writing in "The Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements". So while short-term use of aspirin and NSAIDs may give some pain relief, long term use is making matters worse. Dear Jonathan, I have sea-sonal allergies and asthma. I've heard you can't use Echinacea if you have auto immune diseases. Why is Echinacea dangerous? Patricia Dear Patricia, Who said it was dangerous? I am afraid you are operating under the influence of incorrect information. People refer to Echinacea as an immune booster. It should be more accurately called a modulator or a regulator. Echinacea cannot throw your body into overdrive in itself. It can help bring up a low functioning immune system. The theory that Echinacea will cause over activity is purely speculative and theoretical. It has never happened. Actually, I have had allergies all my life and have used Echinacea and formulas containing Echinacea for nearly 30 years. If anything, the Echinacea seems to have made my conditions better, not worse. I would seriously check the source of your information. There is a great deal of incorrect information out there and lots of people who keep quoting it as though it were gospel. If you still are concerned about helping yourself during the cold and flu season, and want to avoid Echinacea, there are many products formulas available that do not contain Echinacea. Personally, I will continue to use Echinacea as part of my regimen. Plants and Estrogen While we are on the subject of misinformation, let me just say to those of you who have heard that certain plants contain estrogen; that is wrong. Estrogen is a hormone produced in a mammal. Plants contain compounds that "mimic" estrogen; that is they fill estrogen receptors in the body, but do not exert anywhere near the influence of the hormone. That is why black cohosh, and soy products help with hot flashes. Phytoestrogens are not really estrogens, but this is the name that we have to work with and until someone comes up with a new term, I and others like me will continue to clarify for the general public. See you next month. 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