I just learned today that Botox travels from its injection site to the brain where it affects neurotransmitter firing.....I'll be talking about cosmetic acupuncture and SAFE ways to improve your appearance, naturally  in an upcoming article.

This week and next week I'd like to speak to you about some natural alternatives to drugs.  The following are alternatives to the top 3 over the counter drugs.

1.  Pain relievers such as: Tylenol and Advil are the best-selling OTC drugs in this country.  Most pain relievers are used to lessen pain from arthritis, muscle strain or sports injury.  Aspirin falls into this category.

In the natural medicine field, pain can be relieved by: herbs such as Devil's Claw and White Willow Bark, natural anti inflammatories. Enzymes such as: papain and bromelain can also work wonders for many people. One product I recommend is: Arth-Plus, which contains all the above and is available from the natural pharmacy.  Another remedy is: capsaicin a substance isolated from Chili Peppers...I love the band, too.  Applied topically, capsaicin can improve surgical healing, headache and arthritis.  It can have a warm or even burning sensation which disappears with regular use.

2. Antacids, or "Heartburn" Drugs- Heartburn has become big business by drug companies in the last few years, with occasional indigestion suddenly becoming a "disease".  Pepcid AC is a huge drug in the US, and Tagamet and Zantac are big sellers as well.  Please note that chronic indigestion or heart burn IS a medical problem and can lead to esophageal erosion and even cancer.  In Natural Medicine, its cause is usually food allergies, or intestinal dysbiosis. Please see my page on Candida, linked here.  For occasional heartburn due to poor dietary choices, I love the Papaya Enzyme we have from ADL, because it does not contain fake sugars and sugar alcohols which all others do. Papaya enzyme helps to digest enzymatically proteins, and also neutralizes acid naturally.  DGL, a form of licorice root that does NOT raise blood pressure is also available in lozenges and helps to soothe the esophasgus and neutralize acid.  I like RX vitamins lozenges, and recommend them for anyone to have on hand in their natural medicine chest.  Avoiding late eating and simply learning how to chew properly are very helpful in preventing this common disorder.

3. Cold Remedies: such as-Hall's, Robitussin, NyQuil, Theraflu etc., are the third popular OTC medication. Several antihistamines have been linked to dangerous rise in blood pressure.  The others only relieve symptoms.  Natural Medicines can reduce the recovery time, and sometimes even abort the illness altogether if taken at the first sign of symptoms.  Zinc lozenges can be taken every hour or two for two days to help shorten recovery time. Research has demonstrated hastening recovery time by 50%.  High dosages of vitamin C have a similar effect. 1,000 Mgs of Buffered C...again see my pharmacy for product details, can be taken every hour to bowel tolerance, whereupon stools become soft.  NAC, can be very effective at reducing phlegm, and also bolster the immune system.

 Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.COM  4/7/2008

Best of Health!

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Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

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Chinese Herbs

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Arlington Heights, IL

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