A: It depends on your case. If you have chronic heartburn or an ulcer, then
it's a good idea to avoid vitamin formulas with large doses of vitamin C since vitamin C
is acidic and can worsen those medical problems. Plus, pay attention to vitamin formulas
with herbs added to them. In some cases the added herbs can be aggravating your problem or
contributing to it, such as cayenne pepper feeding an inflammatory arthritic problem. On
the other hand, if you have acidic tendencies and
a disorder like osteoporosis, supplementing with a good amount of calcium, magnesium and
vitamin D daily is a good idea.
Q: IS IT SAFE TO TAKE HERBS ON TOP OF MY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS?
A: It depends on what specifically you are taking. For example, blood thinning
drugs such as celebrex, vioxx, and aspirin should not be taken with blood thinning herbs
such as dandelion, echinacea, or goldenseal. Vitamin E and fish oils are blood thinning
too.
Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT GARLIC? I READ SOMEWHERE THAT
IT IS GOOD FOR YOU. SHOULD I TAKE IT DAILY?
A: Again. It depends. If you have high blood pressure you should avoid it, as
garlic
worsens hypertension due to its chemically heating properties. However, it is
great for breaking up and dissolving clots.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I EAT? WHAT KIND OF DIET DO YOU RECOMMEND?
A: I can't answer that without an appointment with you. It depends on many
variables: your genetics, your medical history, your current medical problems and their
specific symptoms, etc. It is just as complicated to give specific dietary
recommendations for someone, as it is to give them suggestions on which natural
supplements and herbs to try. This is reality! For example, dairy products and fruit
juices are great for someone with dryness issues, but horrible for someone fighting a
serious fluid retention problem (edema). Spices help dispel nausea, but will aggravate and
worsen inflammatory pain.
Q: ONCE MY PROBLEM IS GONE, SHOULD I KEEP TAKING HERBS?
A: Never! Herbs are not like vitamins and supplements. They behave in the
body completely differently. Their effects tend to accumulate in the system-making someone
internally cold, hot, too dry, too damp, acidic, etc. Herbs are best used only until
the problem is gone and the body has been restored to balance. Once that balance has been
achieved, you risk throwing your body off balance in the opposite direction if you
continue taking and using the same products.
Q: CAN JUST HERBS REVERSE A MEDICAL PROBLEM BY THEMSELVES?
A: Not really. It's like paddling up a river. In Eastern medicine there are 2
main causes for most chronic diseases: one's genetics and his/her diet. If he/she does not
make changes to his/her diet, then the problem is most likely to come back- as the root
cause was not addressed. Plus, it is almost impossible to get great results if the body is
still receiving substances that aggravate it, despite the herbs it's also being given.
Herbs and diet changes together create a very powerful source for healing.
