Healthy happy you.
You're asking and I'm answering. Dear Fit, I recently went to see a naturopath about my eczema and she gave me some homeopathic medicine. I'm a little nervous about taking these weird little pills. Are they regulated by the FDA? —Skeptical Stacey This is a great question since many people are trying alternative and complementary forms of medicine when the Western medicine route doesn't work. To Read more
Ever heard of Arnica? Well I can tell you about it. Arnica is a homeopathic remedy that can greatly reduce and relieve pain, bruising, and inflammation if used immediately after a wide range of traumas. It comes in a variety of forms from topical creams to heal and soothe your injuries from outside in, and pills to heal you from the inside out. The Arnica Bump Stick is in a handy go-anywhere Read more
Earlier today, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning for consumers to stop using Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel, as well as adult and kid-size Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs. The over-the-counter, homeopathic cold medicine contains zinc and can cause long-lasting or permanent loss of smell. Since 1999, the FDA has received 130 reports of loss of smell associated with these Zicam Read more
Ginger, the powerful herb used as a spice in many dishes, can also be used as a treatment for a variety of ailments. Whether dried, fresh, in juice form or as a powder in a pill, ginger has many therapeutic properties. Here are some to just name a few. Cold Remedy: Drinking homemade ginger tea (which by the way, I'm addicted to), can help relieve congestion, that icky symptom of the common Read more
I feel pretty lucky, because at my doctor's office, there is also an herbalist on staff. Whatever my ailment, I get the best of Eastern and Western medicine and I feel like the best set of options are being presented to me. A few months ago I met with the herbalist to discuss natural ways for dealing with PMS. Under her guidance, I've been taking chasteberry with much success. I'm not as Read more
I ran into a friend this week who was on his way to an herbal medicine shop to bulk up on tinctures and teas because his wife is sick. I've dabbled a little bit with herbal remedies — ginger for an upset stomach and echinacea for a cold — but not to the extent that he and his wife do. He said that for minor illnesses they only use herbal remedies, and that they're more effective than Read more
Dear Fit, I was out surfing the other day when my board and I got into a bit of a tangle. I ended up with a huge bruise on the front of my thigh and the top of my foot. They hurt and look awful. How should I treat them? Ice? Thanks. — Banged Up Betty Kudos to you for riding the waves, but banging into your board can cause a lot of pain. To learn my suggestions on how to treat your bruises keep Read more
