SEEKING AN ALTERNATIVE MEDICATION Recently, the frequency with which friends and relatives have sought my opinion or engage me about the merits of herbal medication, has provoked me to bring the matter into this forum. At least once a week be it in the supermarket, a social gathering or on the telephone, I am quizzed about the hot topic of herbal medication either intentionally or otherwise. More often than not the individual has already settled themselves on a solicited opinion but simply wants to know more. To be honest I have nothing against herbal (alternative medication) especially if such makes life less painful. However, I assay the alternative with an abundance of caution. Except for green tea which I drink to my heart’s delight, my education and training about teas from dried leaves has taught me to ask a couple of questions before ingesting a distillate, abstract or potion. For example: What is the concentration of the active ingredient per teaspoon? Is there just one active ingredient or more than one in the potion? How are the active ingredients (original or metabolised) eliminated (i.e via the kidney or liver)? Do these ingredients have an affinity for soft tissue (e.g brain, prostate, pancreas) or do they hide themselves (secrete) in fatty adipose tissue? Do the ingredients alter heart tone, rhythm or rate? Do they have a strong affinity for the Central Nervous System Tissue? Are there any interactions with my body minerals (e.g. Potassium, Sodium, Calcium or Magnesium)? Do the active ingredients increase or eliminate the minerals to my detriment? Could I still imbibe a two beer on evenings when socialising? Is Caffeine or Theopylline or both present in the potion? Is any alkaloid present (say rauwolfia) or any steroid or aspirin like drug present? How long does each active ingredient spend in my body? How many times does each ingredient pass through my liver or kidney (within 24 hours) for purification? Do I have to keep a proximate distance to a bathroom or public convenience for #1 or #2 reasons? How long does each ingredient take to drop to half of its original concentration? Last but by no means least is there any aphrodisiac or even afrodisiac (causing black men to get dizzy) property associated? Yes, a female should most definitely seek to find out if the medicament could pass into breast milk or even damage the foetus (teratogenic effect) It is for these few reasons that I have not yet sprung to consume the Neem, Nooni, Vervain or even the Moringa Olifera (seed, leaf or powdered form) which is now taking Barbados by Hurricane. Once satisfied with more than half of these answers, I will proceed accordingly and festina lente (hasten slowly) with any ALTERNATIVE HERBAL MEDICAMENT!!!!!!!!!
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:04:54 +0000
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