The meaning of the symbols of bladderwrack seen in a dream.

Linn.

Family: Fucaceae. (Laminaria sp.)

Habitat: On the shores of the United Kingdom, North Atlantic Ocean, North Pacific Coast of America; as a weed; found in Indian Ocean on the Manora Rocks. Allied species—F. distichus Linn., and F nodosus Linn. (Included in Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, CSIR, also in its second supplement.) F. nodosus is found in India along sea shores.

English: Bladderwrack, Black Tang, Rockweed, Kelp.

Action: Weed—one of the richest source of minerals, chiefly iodine, sodium, manganese, sulphur, silicon, zinc and copper. Effective against obesity, antirheumatic. Stimulates circulation of lymph. Endocrine gland stimulant. Allays onset of arteriosclerosis by maintaining elasticity of walls of blood vessels. Mild diuretic, bulk, laxative, antibiotic. High sodium content may reduce effectiveness of diuretics.

(The herb contains trace metal, particularly iodine from 0.03-1.0%. It may contain waste metals such as cadmium and strontium, when grown in a polluted environment. Variable iodine content and arsenic contamination make the herb unsafe.)

The herb should be used with caution in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Excess thyroid activity maybe aggravated by the iodine content of the herb; it may disrupt thyroid function. One gram of Bladderwrack might contain as much as 600 mcg iodine (Ingesting more than 150 mcg iodine per day may cause hyperthyroidism or exacerbate existing hyperthyroidism.) (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

Due to the antithrombin effects ofits fucan polysaccharides, consumption of the herb in cases of G1 bleeding disorders is contraindicated.

(Included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.)... fucus vesiculosus

A healthy bloodstream depends upon maintenance of an acid-alkaline balance. Blood is always slightly alkaline. Only slight variations on either side are compatible with life. When this delicate balance is disturbed by faulty elimination of acid wastes, carbon dioxide, etc., a condition appears known as acidosis, a known precursor of chronic disease. A change of diet is indicated.

To help restore the acid-alkaline balance, any one of the following teas may assist: Iceland Moss, Bladderwrack (fucus), Kelp, Irish Moss, Slippery Elm, Calamus, Meadowsweet, or Dandelion (which may be taken as Dandelion coffee). ... acid-alkaline balance

Increase in size of hands, feet, skull, and jaw by excessive bone growth, associated with expanding tumour of the pituitary gland. Bones become longer and the voice deepens. The change is usually gradual, the face becoming elongated and the features coarse due to thickened skin. Lips, nose and tongue enlarge. Mandible is prominent (prognathism), frontal sinuses enlarge and brows have a beetling appearance. A complexity of symptoms include: ill-fitting dentures, bite reversal, headache, enlarged fingers requiring ring to be moved from fourth to fifth finger. Shoes get tight, spine kyphotic and stiff, possible carpal syndrome, overt diabetes and visual defects.

The condition is irreversible thus no cure is possible. However, pituitary gland normalisers can assist and possibly avert decline.

Alternatives. Tea: Combine equal parts: Gotu Kola, Yarrow, Horsetail. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. 1 cup once or more daily.

Tablets/capsules. Bladderwrack, Borage, Kelp, Liquorice, Ginseng, Wild Yam, Damiana, Helonias. Formula. Combine: Sarsaparilla 1; Ginseng 1; Fringe Tree half; Thuja quarter. Dose: Powders, quarter of a teaspoon. Liquid extracts: 30-60 drops. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons. In water, morning and evening. ... acromegaly

“Medicines that alter the process of nutrition, restoring in some unknown way the normal functions of an organ or system . . . re-establishing healthy nutritive processes” (Blakiston Medical Dictionary)

They are blood cleansers that favourably change the character of the blood and lymph to de-toxify and promote renewal of body tissue. The term has been superseded by the word ‘adaptogen’. See: ADAPTOGEN. However, since the majority of professional phytotherapists still use the term ‘alterative’, the term ‘alterative’ is used through this book to describe the particular action of the group which includes:–

Alfalfa, Bladderwrack, Blue Flag root, Burdock, Chaparral, Chicory, Clivers, Dandelion, Devil’s Claw, Echinacea, Garlic, Ginseng, Goldenseal, Gotu Kola, Marigold, Mountain Grape, Nettles, Poke root, Queen’s Delight, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Thuja, Turkey Corn, Wild Indigo, Yellow Dock.

English traditional formula: equal parts, Burdock, Red Clover, Yellow Dock. Place quarter of the mixture in 2 pints water; simmer gently down to 1 pint. Dose: one-third-half cup thrice daily, before meals. Effects are to enhance elimination through skin, kidneys and bowels; to provide hormone precursors, electrolytes and minerals. The above combination may also be taken in liquid extracts, tinctures or powders. ... alteratives

Herbs that may relieve discomforts of rheumatism and arthritis. Bearberry, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Black Willow, Bladderwrack, Blue Flag root, Bogbean, Boneset, Burdock, Calluna (Heather flowers), Cayenne, Celery seed, Chickweed, Couchgrass, Cowslip (Biostrath), Dandelion, Devil’s Claw, Guaiacum, Juniper, Lavender, Meadowsweet, Mountain Grape, Nettles, Parsley root, Poke root, Prickly Ash, Sarsaparilla, Pipsissewa, White Poplar, Wild Yam, Wintergreen, Wood Sage, Willow (Biostrath), Wormwood, Yarrow, Yellow Dock. ... anti-rheumatics

A herb with ability to lower blood-sugar levels. Of value in diabetes mellitis. Bean pods, Bladderwrack, Goat’s Rue, Jambul, Nettles, Onion, Fenugreek seeds, Olive leaves, Periwinkle (Vinca rosea), Sweet Sumach.

Eucalyptus, (R. Benigni et col Planti Medicinali, 1962, vol 1, 562) Reduction of blood sugar by Garlic has been reported. ... hypoglycaemic

A group of herbs that expend their influence upon the lymphatic system, stimulating the circulation of lymph and tending to disperse glandular swellings.

Agnus Castus, Bladderwrack, Blue Flag root, Burdock, Celandine (Greater), Clivers, Echinacea, Fenugreek, Figwort, Fringe Tree, Marigold, Pipsissewa, Poke root, Queen’s Delight, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Saw Palmetto, Thuja, Violet (Wild), Wild Indigo, Yellow Parilla. ... lymphatics

Suppression of normal menstrual flow during the time of life when it should occur. The most common cause is pregnancy but it can arise from hormonal imbalance, trauma, anaemia, fibroids, polyps, constitutional disorder or emotional problems. Though not prejudicial to health it marks a departure from normal.

Symptoms. Scanty irregular or absent periods.

Alternatives. Agnus Castus, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Chaparral, Feverfew, Helonias, Life root, Lovage, Marigold, Motherwort, Mugwort, Parsley root, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Rue, Tansy, Thuja, Southernwood, Wormwood, Yarrow, Hedge Hyssop (Gratiola officinalis).

Tea: Combine: Agnus Castus, Motherwort, Yarrow. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. 1 cup thrice daily.

Formula. Combine: Helonias 2; Agnus Castus 2; Blue Cohosh 1. Doses. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules, or one-third teaspoon). Liquid Extracts: 30-60 drops. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons.

In water or honey, thrice daily.

Agnus Castus. Success reported.

Due to thyroid imbalance: Kelp, Bladderwrack, Irish Moss.

Vitamins: A. B-complex. E.

Minerals: Calcium. Zinc.

Note: Patients with amenorrhoea are at risk of osteoporosis. (Middlesex Hospital, London) ... amenorrhoea

Osteo-arthritis. Erosion of cartilage of a joint with pain and stiffness. “Wear and tear” arthritis of the over 50s, affecting hands, knees, spine or hips. Biochemical changes in the cartilage stimulate overgrowth of bone cells (hyperplasia) which is an effort by the body to correct the disturbance.

Common in the elderly and menopausal women. Calcium salts may be laid down in a joint believed to be due to errors of diet. Small crystals of calcium hydroxyapatite have been observed to form in cartilage and synovial fluid. (Research group: St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London)

The aged sometimes suffer from diminished supply of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and which is necessary for normal calcium metabolism. An effective substitute is 2 teaspoons cider vinegar in a glass of water sipped before or during meals.

Alte rnative s. Black Cohosh and Meadowsweet (natural sources of salicylic acid), Asafoetida (inflammation of connective tissue), Hawthorn (efficient circulation of the blood), Poke root, Bladderwrack, Guaiacum, Devil’s Claw, Bogbean, White Poplar bark, Yucca leaves.

Tea. Celery seeds. 1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water. Infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup, 2-3 times daily, before meals. Comfrey tea.

Alternative formulae:– Powders. White Willow 2; Devil’s Claw 1; Black Cohosh half; Guaiacum quarter. Mix. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily in water or Nettle tea. Liquid extracts. White Willow 2; Devil’s Claw 1; Bogbean 1; Fennel 1; Tincture Capsicum quarter. Mix. 1 teaspoon thrice daily in water or Nettle tea.

Tinctures. Bogbean 2; Meadowsweet 2; Black Cohosh 1; Guaiacum quarter; Peppermint quarter. Mix. Dose: 2 teaspoons thrice daily.

Tablets/capsules: Devil’s Claw, Wild Yam, Ligvites.

Cod liver oil. Chief of the iodised oils. Can reach and nourish cartilage by the process of osmosis. Its constituents filter into cartilage, imparting increased elasticity which prevents degeneration. Known to soften-up fibrous tissue. 2 teaspoons once daily. Also helps correct uric acid metabolism.

Topical. Physiotherapy. Osteopathy. Jojoba oil packs. Capsicum Cream. Hot and cold compresses twice daily – followed by a cold compress at night, leaving on when in bed. Hot Epsom salt bath twice weekly. Diet. Oily fish: see entry. Low fat. Low salt. High fibre. Avoid lemons and other citrus fruits. Lemon juice may remove some calculi from the body but later begins to remove calcium from the bones. Supplementation. Pantothenic acid 10mg; Vitamin A 7500iu; Vitamin B6 25mg; Vitamin E 400iu; Zinc 25mg.

General. Warm dry climate often relieves. Surgery may be necessary. Herbs Pleurisy root, Comfrey root and Bryonia, sustain the constitution and promote tissue healing after joint replacements with ceramic substitute after the famous Charnley operation. The condition is disabling but it is possible to manage successfully, maintaining normal activities with minimum difficulty. ... arthritis – osteo

French beans. Phaseolus vulgaris L. French: Haricot. German: Bohnen. Spanish: Habichuela seca. Italian: Fagoilo. Indian: Khurdya. Chinese: Lu-tou. Iranian: Bendo mash. Constituents: phaseoline, mucilage, minerals including sulphur.

Keynote: kidneys. Part used: pods without beans.

Action: hypotensive, diuretic, anti-diabetic, resolvent, glycaemic – to regulate blood sugar.

Uses: Water retention. Albuminuria (proteinuria), especially of pregnancy. Oedema of cardiac origin. Premenstrual tension. Diabetes mellitus. Hyperinsulinism. To induce loss of weight. Swollen legs and ankles. Hypoglycaemia. Sometimes given in combination with Bladderwrack.

Preparations: Capt Frank Roberts Bean Cure. 40 grams of the dried herb soaked for 6 hours in 750ml (1 and a half pints) cold water. Boil, half an hour. Drink all over 1-2 days for water retention.

Roasted beans: nutritious coffee substitute.

French bean water (after cooking beans without salt) used traditionally in France for a soaked-lint compress for leg ulcer.

Powder. Capsules, 200mg. Dose: 8 capsules: 2 in morning, 3 at midday, 3 in the evening, at beginning of meals. (Arkocaps) ... bean husks

Not a medical term. Puffy skin from deposition of fat. “Orange peel skin”. Occurs chiefly in women as lumpy flesh on buttocks, thighs, stomach, knees and upper arm. Though not due to increased fluid in the tissues, it is sufficient to arrest the circulation. Constriction of capillaries causes toxic wastes to build up, forming nodules that lock away fat in the tissues. Hormone imbalance also suspected. Varicose veins may appear with cellulite from poorly supportive connective tissue. Usual cause: poor posture and unhealthy lifestyle.

Treatment. To activate capillary function and assist toxic elimination: Bladderwrack, Gotu Kola, Kola, Parsley tea. A diuretic may assist by eliminating excess fluid.

Gotu Kola tea: Quarter to half a teaspoon leaves to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes. 1 cup morning and evening.

Formula. Tea. Equal parts: Alfalfa, Clivers, Fennel, Senna leaves. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water: infuse 5-10 minutes. Half-1 cup morning and evening.

Seline. Tablets. Ingredients: Each tablet contains Lecithin 100mg; Pulverised Dandelion 100mg; Pulverised Horsetail 100mg; Pulverised extract Fucus 5:1 30mg; Vitamin C 40mg; Vitamin B6 1mg. 1 tablet thrice daily.

Aescin. Compound isolated from Horse-chestnuts to decrease capillary permeability and swelling. Topical. Decoction of Horse-chestnuts as a lotion. Or: infusion of Bladderwrack.

Aromatherapy and Herb essences. Combination for external use. Ingredients: Almond oil 47ml; Fennel oil 1ml; Juniper oil 1ml; Cypress essence 0.5ml; Lemon essence 0.5ml. Apply to affected areas morning and evening; small area 5 drops, large area 10 drops (Gerard). Gentle massage with a string glove, loofah or massage glove.

Diet. Reduce calorie intake. Raw fresh fruits and vegetable salads to account for 50 per cent of the diet. No sweet or dried fruits. Conservatively-cooked vegetables. Seafood. Iodine-rich foods. Wholegrain cereals. Protein: beans, chicken, poached eggs, fish, little lean meat: no pork, bacon or ham. Low-fat yoghurt. Cold-pressed unsaturated oils for salad dressings with lemon juice. Dandelion coffee to stimulate liver. Avoid sugar, alcohol, bananas and white flour products. Spring water.

Supportives. Stop smoking. Adopt an alternative to the contraceptive pill. To avoid fluid retention, 2-3 glasses of water daily. ... cellulite

Cleavers. Goosegrass. Galium aparine L. French: Gratterton. German: Klebelabkraut. Spanish: Presera. Italian: Cappelo da tignosi.

Constituents: anthraquinone derivatives, flavonoids, iridoids, polyphonic acids.

Action. Lymphatic alterative and detoxifier, diuretic, astringent tonic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, adaptogen, anti-neoplastic.

Uses: Enlarged lymph nodes, especially cervical neck nodes, cystic and nodular changes in the glands. Nodular goitre. John Wesley, evangelist, claimed that it dispersed some hard swellings (tea internally, poultice externally). Used in prescriptions for obesity until recent years. Even Galen wrote that it could make fat folk lean. For dry skin disorders (psoriasis, etc).

Urinary disorders: suppression, painful micturition, irritable bladder. Said to be a stone-solvent. Frequently used with Marshmallow for gravel. Dropsy (with Broom). Bed-wetting.

Cleansing drink for malignant conditions. The ancient world used it for cancer, but experiments fail to confirm.

Freckles: Clivers tea as a wash for skin.

Combination (traditional) for blood and glands: equal parts Ground Ivy, Bladderwrack and Clivers. Combination for kidney and bladder: equal parts Uva Ursi, Buchu and Clivers: 1oz to 1 pint boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; half-1 cup thrice daily.

Combination for cystitis: equal parts Iceland Moss, Marshmallow and Clivers; prepare tea. Half-1 cup thrice daily.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tea. 1 teaspoon herb to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup.

Juice from fresh plant. 1-3 teaspoons. Terminal cases – half-1 wineglass or as much as tolerated.

Liquid extract, BHC Vol 1. 1:1, in 25 per cent ethanol. Dose: 2-4ml.

Tincture, BHC Vol 1. 1:5, in 25 per cent ethanol. Dose: 4-10ml.

Poultice: fresh plant crushed with aid of rolling pin. Applied cold.

Note: Eaten as a vegetable in China. ... clivers

Muscular rheumatism. Painful, sore and aching muscles due to over-exertion, septic foci (bad teeth, grumbling appendix, infected sinuses etc), or an over-growth of fibrous tissue due to inflammatory change in muscles. Also due to injury or faulty food combinations.

Alternatives. Bladderwrack, Bogbean, Cayenne, Dandelion, Black Cohosh (especially after violent exercise), Ginger, Horseradish, Sweet Chestnut, St John’s Wort, Rosemary.

Tea. Celery seed.

Tablets/capsules. Black Cohosh, Celery, White Willow, Devil’s Claw, Ligvites, Wild Yam.

Alternative formulae:– Powders. Formula. White Willow 2; Cramp bark half; Guaiacum quarter; Liquorice quarter. Mix. 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Liquid Extracts. Formula. Rosemary 1; St John’s Wort 1; Black Cohosh half; Valerian half. Mix. Dose: 30-60 drops thrice daily.

Tinctures. Formula. Dandelion 2; Celery 1; Bogbean 1. Fennel half. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons thrice daily. Topical. Aromatherapy. 2 drops each, Origan (Wild Marjoram), Scots Pine, Rosemary, to 2 teaspoons vegetable oil (Almond, etc). Massage. Capsicum liniment.

Poultice. Leaves of Lobelia, Ragwort or Wintergreen.

Analgesic cream. Hot Epsom Salts bath, once weekly.

Diet. Lacto-vegetarian. Oily fish. Dandelion coffee.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamin B6 (50mg), C (500mg), Calcium Pantothenate (500mg), Dolomite. ... fibrositis

The most common skin disease; recognised by minute blisters (vesicles) which fill with colourless fluid and burst leaving the skin cracked, scaly and weepy with possible bleeding. Successful treatment depends upon recognising the type and distribution. Partly a metabolic imbalance.

Atopic eczema. Allergic eczema. May run in families together with hay fever, asthma or inflamed nasal membrane. May appear anywhere but prefers elbows, knees (flexures), ankles or face. Often seen in infants. May return again and again throughout adult life. Scratching exacerbates.

As regards babies, some paediatricians believe breast-feeding to be protective. A stronger case follows investigation into pollutants from the atmosphere or as additives in food. Industrial chemicals find their way into breast milk that may not be easily excreted but stored in fat.

Cow’s milk is particularly suspect because of exposure of the animal to herbicides and pesticides. For this reason, goat’s milk has met with some success in treatment of this condition, as has Soya milk. Now known that food plays an important part in effective treatment. Chief allergy-stimulators: dairy produce, eggs, cow’s milk. Each individual case must identify those foods that are responsible.

Seborrhoeic eczema leads to scaling of the scalp and redness of the ears, eyebrows, side of the nose and possibly armpits and groin.

Stasis eczema (or varicose eczema) may arise from varicose vein problems, usually limited to the lower third of the leg.

Discoid eczema has coin-shaped patches preferring extensor surfaces of arms and legs.

Contact eczema may be caused by washing-up detergents, etc. See: CONTACT DERMATITIS.

While emotional or psychic disturbance may worsen, eczema is seldom a psychosomatic disorder arising from stressful situations. Contact with water may worsen. Hairdressers and those allergic to dyes may require patch tests.

Eczema patients, especially atopic, have a metabolic deficiency of linoleic acid (a dietary fatty acid) to y-linolenic acid, which is found in Evening Primrose oil. Eczema may develop in bottle-fed babies due to absence of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) in commercial powdered milk. GLA is present in Evening Primrose.

A cross-over trial in 99 patients (adults and children) by Bristol (England) dermatologists found Evening Primrose oil (Efamol capsules) produced an overall 43 per cent improvement in eczema severity: doses – 4 to 6 capsules twice daily (adults); 2 capsules twice daily (children). Lower doses were not effective.

Alternatives. Barberry, Bladderwrack, Blood root, Blue Flag root, Bogbean, Burdock, Clivers, Devil’s Claw, Echinacea, Figwort, Fringe Tree, Fumitory, Garlic, Guaiacum, Goldenseal, Mountain Grape, Gotu Kola, Nettles, Plantain, Poke root, Queen’s Delight, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Wild Indigo, Heartsease, Yellow Dock.

Tea. Combine herbs: equal parts: Gotu Kola, Clivers, Red Clover. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes; 1 cup thrice daily, before meals (Dry eczema).

Formula: equal parts, Burdock root, Yellow Dock root, Valerian root. Dose. Liquid Extracts, 1 teaspoon. Tinctures, 1-2 teaspoons. Powders, two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon. Thrice daily, before meals. Practitioner: specific medication.

Dry eczema. Equal parts, tinctures: Yarrow, Dandelion, Calendula, Echinacea.

Weeping eczema. Combine tinctures: Barberry 1; Clivers 2; Echinacea 2.

Seborrhoeic eczema. Combine tinctures: Blue Flag root 1; Meadowsweet 2; Boneset 1.

Discoid eczema. Combine tinctures: Yellow Dock 2; Mountain Grape 1; Echinacea 1.

Varicose eczema. Combine tinctures: Echinacea 2; Calendula (Marigold) 1; Hawthorn 1.

Dosage for the above: One to two 5ml teaspoons in water thrice daily before meals.

Skin Care. May reduce necessity for steroid creams. It is best to avoid: lanolin and Coconut oil compounds that may contain coal tar. Wash in soft water (rain water) or water not containing chemical softeners.

Indicated: soothing softening herbal lotions, ointments or creams: Marshmallow, Chickweed, Comfrey, Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera gel, Jojoba oil, Evening Primrose oil. For seborrhoeic eczema: Bran Bath or Bran Wash, twice weekly, soapless, followed by Rosemary shampoo. Vitamin E lotion or cream.

Note: A study carried out at the University of Manchester, England, found that children with eczema had significantly low levels of serum zinc than control-cases. (British Journal of Dermatology, 1984, 111, 597)

Evening Primrose oil. For Omega 6 fatty acids.

Diet. Gluten-free. Oily fish: see entry. Avoid cow’s milk, wheat products.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamins: A (7500iu). C (500mg). E (400iu). Bioflavonoids (500mg). Zinc (15mg). Betaine hydrochloride.

Note: The disorder may be due to a deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) brought about by a deficiency of zinc which is necessary for EFA metabolism.

Chinese herbs. A study has shown herbal treatment to be far superior to placebo in clinical trials. British children with (dry) atopic eczema responded favourably to treatment which included the following herbs known as Formula PSE101.

Ledebouriella sesloides, Potentilla chinesis, Anebia clematidis, Rehmannia glutinosa, Peonia lactiflora, Lophatherum gracile, Dictamnus dasycarpus, Tribulus terrestris, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Schizonepta tenuifolia. Non-toxicity confirms their safety. (Sheeham M et al. “A controlled trial of traditional Chinese medicinal plants in widespread non-exudative atopic dermatitis”, British Journal of Dermatology, 126: 179-184 1992)

When 10 Chinese herbs were analysed by a team at the Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, it was revealed that no single active ingredient or herb was responsible for success. “It was a combination of all 10 herbs that gave the medicine its healing properties.” This is an example of the synergistic effect of combined plant remedies and supports the herbalist’s belief in use of the whole plant. ... eczema

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Inflammation of the Thyroid gland with increase of fibrous tissue and intrusion of excess white blood cells. Forerunner of myxoedema. It is an auto-immune disorder resulting in thyroid damage. Middle-aged women prone. Painless swelling.

Alternatives. Treatment. Echinacea is the key remedy.

Others indicated: Red Clover flower, Blue Flag root, Horsetail, Poke root, Bladderwrack. May be taken singly, as available.

Tea: Combine Bladderwrack 2; Echinacea 2; Horsetail 1. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup thrice daily.

Tinctures. Combine: Bladderwrack 2; Echinacea 2; Horsetail 1. Dose: one to two 5ml teaspoons in water thrice daily.

Diet. Iodised salt. Avoid cabbage which contains a factor which depresses the thyroid gland. Supplementation. Vitamin A. B-complex. Kelp. ... hashimoto’s disease

A deposit and infiltration of fat on the heart in the obese and heavy consumers of alcohol. Distinct from true degeneration in which there is no destruction of tissue. Symptoms. Breathlessness and palpitation on slight exertion. Anginal pain: see ANGINA. Mental dullness. May follow enlargement of the heart and acute infections such as influenza.

Alternatives. Teas. Alfalfa, Clivers, Yarrow, Motherwort.

Tablets/capsules. Poke root, Kelp, Motherwort.

Formula. Equal parts: Bladderwrack, Motherwort, Aniseed, Dandelion. Dose. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons in water thrice daily. Black Cohosh. Introduced into the medical world in 1831 when members of the North American Eclectic School of physicians effectively treated cases of fatty heart.

Diet. Vegetarian protein foods, high-fibre, whole grains, seed sprouts, lecithin, soya products, low-fat yoghurt, plenty of raw fruit and vegetables, unrefined carbohydrates. Oily fish: see entry. Dandelion coffee. Reject: alcohol, coffee, salt, sugar, fried foods, all dairy products except yoghurt.

Supplements. Daily. Broad-spectrum multivitamin including Vitamins A, B-complex, B3, B6, C (with bioflavonoids), E, Selenium. ... heart – fatty degeneration

Pollution of the blood and tissues by environmental poisons and traces of chemicals is a source of chronic disease. The most common toxic metals are lead, aluminium, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in that order. Copper is also toxic but is essential in small amounts.

Lead disrupts neurotransmitters in the brain and disposes to nervous excitability, aggression and hyperactivity. Aluminium is associated with senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, accumulating in the brain. Cadmium induces changes in behaviour with reduced mental ability. Mercury is present in the amalgam used in dental surgery as part-filling for teeth. Arsenical poisoning may occur in food contamination or paints.

An internal chelating or cleansing of tissues of the lungs, urinary system, blood and lymph may be assisted by a combination of relative expectorants, diuretics, hepatics and adaptogens among which are: Barberry, Blue Flag root, Chaparral, Burdock, Echinacea, Red Clover, Yellow Dock. To bind with metals and assist their passage through the intestinal canal to the outside of the body: Irish Moss, Iceland Moss or Slippery Elm. Garlic.

The Medicines Control Agency of the Ministry of Health (UK) has given consideration to the content of heavy metal impurities and rules that a limit of 75 micrograms of total heavy metals shall be the acceptable maximum daily intake.

Licence-holders are required to carry out tests on all incoming material. Some seaweeds may be heavily polluted with mercury, arsenic and radioactive particles as a result of micro-biological contamination. The MCA requires Bladderwrack and other seaweeds to contain minimum levels. ... heavy metal toxicity

Disorder of the parathyroid gland with excessive secretion of parathormone. Leads to high level of calcium in the blood and a leeching of calcium from the bones. Symptoms: thirst, voiding of large quantities of urine, lack of appetite, physical weakness, constipation, nausea, high blood pressure. An association with pancreatitis and peptic ulcer.

Most common cause is a tumour on one of the glands or swelling of all four. Bone fragility leads to fractures and deformity.

Alternatives. Formula. Equal parts: Gotu Kola, Red Clover, Goat’s Rue, Bladderwrack.

Tea: 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; dose, 1 cup.

Liquid Extracts: one to two 5ml teaspoons in water.

Tinctures: one to three 5ml teaspoons in water.

Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily. ... hyperparathyroidism

Shingles. An acute inflammatory virus infection of one or more posterior root ganglion of the spine, or of the trigeminal nerve. Caused by a DNA virus (varicella zoster). May be due to re-activation of the chicken-pox virus which lies latent in the ganglia of sensory and somatic nerves and present in the body from childhood infection. Severe in the elderly. Should be distinguished from herpes simplex. Shingles cannot be re-activated by close proximity of a case, but may be caught by direct contact with a burst blister.

Symptoms: Two-to-four-day fever precedes a red rash which develops into clear blisters. Blisters dry up to form scabs that drop off leaving scars. Lesions and pain follow the path of the infected nerve. Pain described as intense, burning, itching: may persist for months as post-herpetic neuralgia. When virus affects the fifth cranial nerve vision will be impaired. In the elderly it may reveal some underlying malignancy. Patients having chemotherapy or radiotherapy are at risk.

Alternatives. Specific anti-viral therapy. Remedies in general use: Asafoetida, Jamaica Dogwood, Marigold, Mistletoe, Nettles, Passion flower, Poke root, Queen’s Delight, Valerian, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam. St John’s Wort plays a role in reducing the long-lasting neuralgia. Echinacea imparts strength to endure the ordeal. The addition of a stomachic remedy (Gentian) to a prescription may prove beneficial. Mild short-term analgesics include: Oats, Valerian, Asafoetida, Passion flower, Wild Lettuce, Hops.

Tea. Formula. Equal parts: Oats, Nettles, St John’s Wort.

Decoction. Formula. Echinacea root 2; Valerian half; St John’s Wort 1.

Tablets. Formula. Hops BHP (1983) 45mg; Passion flower BHP (1983) 100mg; Extract Valerian 5:1 20mg. (Gerard 99)

Powders. Combine: Echinacea 2; Jamaican Dogwood 1; Gentian root 1. 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. Alternatives. (1) Formula. Equal parts Goldenseal and Lupulin (Hops). Or, (2) Formula. Queen’s Delight 1; Valerian quarter; Goldenseal quarter; Asafoetida quarter. Dose: 1 teaspoon in water thrice daily.

Practitioner. Tincture Gelsemium: 5 drops (0.3ml) in water, as indicated, for pain.

Formula. Liquid Extract Hops, half an ounce; Liquid Extract Echinacea, 1oz; Tincture Goldenseal, 30 drops; Tincture Rhubarb BP, 1oz. Essence of Peppermint 20 drops. Water to 8oz. Dose: 2 teaspoons in water after meals. (Arthur Barker, FNIMH)

Topical. Aloe Vera. Houseleek – fresh juice or pulp. Evening Primrose oil. Wash with decoction of seaweed (Bladderwrack, Kelp): follow with Zinc and Castor oil cream or ointment. Slippery Elm made into a paste (powder mixed with few teaspoons of milk): apply after cleaning with Olive oil. Castor oil compress. Dilute Tea Tree oil. Ice-cube – 10 minutes on, 5 minutes off.

Russian study. Liquorice powder ointment.

Diet: Oatmeal porridge. Muesli with oats. Yoghurt. Wholefoods.

Supplementation. One high potency multivitamin daily. Anti-herpes amino acid L-lysine; one 500mg tablet, twice daily. Vitamin B12, 10mg daily. Upon relief, reduce L-lysine to one daily. (Dr L. Mervyn) Minerals: Calcium, Selenium, Zinc.

Self-Care. Resist temptation to touch sores. No sharing of face cloths, towels, etc.

Note: The chicken-pox virus is believed to lie dormant in nerve cells around the spine for many years, after people catch the childhood infection. Virgorous massage of the spine may trigger an attack by activating the dormant virus.

Information. Herpes Association, 41 North Road, London N7 9DP, UK. Send SAE. ... herpes zoster

Insufficient pressure to propel contents of the circulatory vessels throughout the body. Persistent low blood pressure is usually the result of blood loss following accident, infection, anaemic disorders or shock from heart attack. Blood pressure is naturally low during sleep.

Causes: failure of the adrenal glands, tuberculosis, neurasthenia, psychological shock, constitutional debility. Blood pressure is consistently below 110mmHg. Myocardial infarction. Fainting attack. Symptoms. Dizziness, headache, fatigue, fainting, ringing in the ears, feels low, panicky, unable to concentrate, neurotic impulses, anxiety.

Alternatives. Underlying cause must be treated. Rest, tonics, good food, sunshine. When due to shock, hospital treatment may be necessary. Tonics and adrenal stimulants assist in raising pressure. Rosemary of special value. Hypotensives and antidepressant should not be given.

In general use. Broom BHP (1983), Cactus (Dr A. Vogel), Camphor (circulatory stimulant), Cayenne (Dr S. Thomson), Echinacea, Ephedra, Garlic, Gentian, Ginseng BHP (1983), Goldenseal, Peppermint, Hawthorn (D. Hoffmann), Hyssop (Dr A. Vogel), Kola, Nettles, Prickly Ash bark, Lily of the Valley, Rosemary, Betony. Bladderwrack, Bogbean (A. Thompson), Wormwood, Hyssop. Fenugreek tea of special value.

Tonic Tea. Mix equal parts: Betony, Rosemary, Alfalfa, Peppermint. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. 1 cup 2-3 times daily.

Rosemary leaves. 1 teaspoon to cup boiling water, infuse 15 minutes. Drink cold: half-1 cup morning and evening.

Tablets/capsules. Ginseng, Prickly Ash, Garlic, Hawthorn, Damiana, Kola, Ginkgo.

Powders. Formula. Rosemary 2; Kola 1; Ginger quarter. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Liquid Extract. Kola nuts BPC (1934). Dose: 10-20 drops thrice daily.

Tincture. Kola nuts BPC (1934). Dose: 15-60 drops thrice daily.

Practitioner. Tincture Ephedra 1:4 in 45 per cent alcohol BHP (1983). Dose: 6-8ml morning and evening.

Alternative Formula. Tinctures. Cactus 2; Rosemary 1; Ephedra 2; Ginger quarter. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons, thrice daily.

Dr A. Vogel. Formula. Hawthorn 6; Valerian 1; Cactus 1; E. Holly (Ilex Aqui) 1; Hyssop 1. Aromatherapy. Essential oils of Olive, Lemon, Milk-Thistle, Rosemary, for external application. Oil of Camphor (circulatory stimulant) as an inhalant.

Diet. Potassium-rich foods, citrus fruits, bananas, potatoes, nuts, oatmeal porridge. Cayenne at table as a condiment. Brewer’s yeast to produce albumin which forms 60 per cent of protein in plasma of the blood. Avoid eggs.

Supplements. Kelp, Garlic, Multivitamin, Zinc.

Note: People with low blood pressure tend to live longer than others.

See: BLOOD PRESSURE. ... hypotension

(Lymphadenoma. Lymphogranulomatosis). Chronic enlargement of the lymph nodes often together with that of the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Affects more males than females, 30- 40 years. High white blood cell count. Cancer of the lymph vessels. Follows a typical clinical course with anaemia until necrosis supervenes. The disease is suspected by a combination of enlargement of lymph nodes (especially the neck), severe itching and unexplained fever. Symptoms vary according to part of the body affected.

Symptoms. Hard rubbery glands are general, chiefly detected under the arm and groin. Enlarged nodes may compress nearby structures to produce nerve pains. Weight loss. Accumulation of fluid in lungs and abdomen. Obstruction of bile duct leads to jaundice. Patient may be prone to shingles. High fever heralds approaching fatality. Blood count, bone marrow aspiration and node biopsy confirm. Tubercula glands may simulate Hodgkin’s disease.

Some success reported by the use of the Periwinkle plant. (vinca rosea – Vinchristine) Wm Boericke, M.D. refers to Figwort as a powerful agent in Hodgkin’s disease.

Alternatives. Although there is no known cure, emphasis on the cortex of the adrenal gland may reduce skin irritation and pain in the later stages (Gotu Kola, Liquorice, Sarsaparilla). To arrest wasting and constitutional weakness: Echinacea. Anti-pruritics, alteratives and lymphatics are indicated.

Tea. Formula. Equal parts, Nettles, Gotu Kola, Red Clover. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. 1 cup 3 or more times daily.

Decoction. Formula. Equal parts – Yellow Dock, Queen’s Delight, Echinacea. 1 teaspoon to each cup water gently simmered 20 minutes. Half-1 cup 3 or more times daily.

Tablets/capsules. Poke root. Blue Flag root. Echinacea. Mistletoe.

Powders. Formula. Echinacea 2; Poke root 1; Bladderwrack 1. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) 3 or more times daily.

Tinctures. Mixture. Parts: Echinacea 2; Goldenseal quarter; Thuja quarter; Poke root half; Periwinkle 1. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons, 3 or more times daily. Where active inflammation is present – add Wild Yam 1. External. Castor oil packs to abdomen.

Treatment by a general medical practitioner or hospital specialist.

HOLISTIC MEDICINE. A school of thought which regards disease as a manifestation of an inner disturbance of the vital force, and not merely abnormality of certain groups of nerves, muscles, veins, or even the mind itself. Article 43 of Dr Samuel Hahnemann’s Organon of the Healing Art describes it:

“No organ, no tissue, no cell, no molecule is independent of the activities of the others but the life of each one of these elements is merged into the life of the whole. The unit of human life cannot be the organ, the tissue, the cell, the molecule, the atom, but the whole organism, the whole man.”

Holistic medicine relates disease to a patient’s personality, posture, diet, emotional life, and lifestyle. Treatment will be related to body, mind and spirit. It encourages a positive psychological response to the disease from which a patient suffers. For instance, its gentle approach to cancer embraces stress control, meditation, forms of visualisation and other life-enhancing skills.

Diet may be vegetarian, even vegan.... hodgkin’s disease

Trace element. RDA 0.14 to 0.15mg.

Deficiency. Goitre, low metabolism, fatigue, sleepiness.

Body effects. Promotes thyroid hormones.

Sources. Seafood, meat, fruit and vegetables.

Herbs: Bladderwrack, Dulse, Garlic, Kelp, Iceland Moss, Irish Moss.

Iodine status check. Paint a small (about 2”) patch of tincture of Iodine on the inside of the thigh before going to bed. Allow to dry. It should be yellowish-orange. Next morning check results:–

1. Colour completely gone: significant shortage of iodine.

2. Colour barely detectable: shortage of iodine.

3. Colour slightly faded: adequate iodine.

4. Colour almost as strong: adequate iodine.

5. Colour turns red: indicates chemical sensitivities helped by Selenium supplementation.

6. Colour turns black: associated with food sensitivities.

7. Colour stays for several days: indicates iodine excess.

(Dr Robert Erdmann, PhD., ‘Balance your Metabolism with Iodine’, in “Here’s Health”, Nov 1991) ... iodine

Post phlebitis. An important fore-runner to leg ulceration without resolution of which an ulcer may reappear indefinitely. A condition due to pressure on the vascular system which causes deposition of excess fibrin in the capillaries and veins which arrests the circulation of oxygen and nutrients to the skin.

Symptoms. Those of a prelude to ulceration: eczema, pigmentation, pain.

Treatment. Aim should be (1) to reduce internal pressure on the veins and (2) to resolve deposition of fibrin.

Alternatives. Teas: Alfalfa, Nettles, Plantain. Brigham tea, Clivers, Bladderwrack.

Capsules: Evening Primrose oil (4 × 500mg) daily.

Tablets/capsules. Fucus (Bladderwrack). Motherwort. Chlorophyll, Rutin.

Formula. Equal parts: Dandelion and Burdock: add pinch or few drops Cayenne. Powders: half a teaspoon. Liquid Extracts: 2 teaspoons. Tinctures: 2-3 teaspoons. In water, thrice daily before meals. Topical. Graduated elastic stocking compression reduces tension on veins and prevents further deposition of fibrin. Juice, gels, or oils:– Aloe Vera, Houseleek, Evening Primrose, Comfrey, Chickweed, Zinc and Castor oil. ... lipodermatosclerosis

Destruction of normal liver cells and their replacement by fat.

Causes: obesity; environmental chemicals, toxins from fevers (influenza, etc).

Alternatives. Teas. Boldo, Clivers, Motherwort, Chaparral. One heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water infused 15 minutes. 1 cup freely.

Tablets/capsules. Seaweed and Sarsaparilla.

Formula. Fringe Tree 2; Clivers 1; Bladderwrack (fucus) 1. Dose: Liquid Extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons. Powders: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon) thrice daily.

Cider Vinegar. 2-3 teaspoons to glass water. Drink freely.

Evening Primrose oil. 4 × 500mg capsules daily.

Diet. Fat-free. Dandelion coffee. Artichokes.

Supplementation. Vitamin B6. C. K. Zinc. Kelp. ... liver – fatty

Lymph is the same fluid which oozes from a cut when bleeding stops. It surrounds every living cell. Lymph conveys to the blood the final products of digestion of food. It also receives from the blood waste products of metabolism. This is a two-way traffic.

Lymph fluid, loaded with waste, excess protein, etc, is sucked into the lymph tubes to be filtered by the spleen and the lymph nodes. The tubes are filled with countless one-way valves referred to collectively as the lymphatic pump, which propels the flow of lymph forwards. Lymph ultimately is collected in the main thoracic duct rising upwards in front of the spine to enter the bloodstream at the base of the neck.

A number of disorders may arise when the fluid becomes over-burdened by toxaemia, poor drainage and enlarged nodes (glands). Such un-eliminated wastes form cellulite – unwanted tissue formation and swelling. Thus, the soil may be prepared for various chronic illnesses from glandular disorders to arthritis. If the lymph is circulating freely it is almost impossible to become sick.

This system is capable of ingesting foreign particles and building up an immunity against future infection. Some herbal Lymphatics are also antimicrobials, natural alternatives to conventional antibiotics.

Treatment. Clivers is particularly relative to glandular swellings of neck and axillae.

For active inflammation: Echinacea, Goldenseal, Ginseng (Panax).

Alternatives. Teas: Clivers, Red Clover, Agnus Castus herb, Bladderwrack, Violet leaves, Marigold petals.

Decoctions: Blue Flag, Echinacea, Fenugreek seeds, Saw Palmetto.

Tablets/capsules. Agnus Castus, Echinacea, Bladderwrack, Red Clover, Thuja, Poke root, Fenugreek. Formula No 1. Echinacea 2; Clivers 1; Burdock 1; Poke root half. Dose: Liquid Extracts: one 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: two 5ml teaspoons. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily.

Formula No 2. Equal parts: Blue Flag root, Poke root, Senna. Dose: as above.

Topical. Poultices: Slippery Elm, Fenugreek seeds, Marshmallow. Horsechestnut (Aesculus) ointment. ... lymphatic system

Important mineral. Magnesium limestone (dolomite rock). Essential for use of Vitamins B1 and B6, a deficiency of which affects the nervous system. Vasodilator. Platelet inhibitor.

Deficiency. May lead to disorders of arteries or kidneys; brittle bones, pre-menstrual tension, heart disease, muscle cramps, hypoglycaemia, insomnia, palpitation, tremor of hands or lower limbs; anorexia, anxiety, depression, tiredness, dizziness, confusion. Studies reveal that two-thirds of patients with peripheral vascular disease are magnesium-deficient. Absorption is blocked by the contraceptive pill, a high milk or high fat intake. Chronic fatigue syndrome.

Heart attack. “An imbalance in the Magnesium/Calcium ratio may contribute to myocardial infarction.” (Dr H.J. Holtmeier, University of Freiburg, Germany)

Body effects. Co-ordination of nerves and muscles. Healthy teeth and bones. This metal activates more enzymes in the body than any other mineral. Heart patients on Digoxin have less palpitation when magnesium level is normal.

Sources. Most foods. Meat, milk, eggs, seafood, nuts (peanuts etc), brown rice, wheatbran, cocoa, Soya beans and flour, almonds, walnuts, maize, oats.

Fruits: apples, avocado, bananas, black grapes, seeds.

Herbs: Bladderwrack, Black Willow bark, Broom, Carrot leaves, Devil’s Bit, Dulse, Dandelion, Gotu Kola, Kale, Kelp, Meadowsweet, Mistletoe, Mullein, Okra, Parsley, Peppermint, Primrose flowers, Rest Harrow, Silverweed, Skunk Cabbage, Toadflax, Walnut leaves, Watercress, Wintergreen. Teas made from any of this list can be effective for low-grade magnesium deficiency.

RDA 300mg: 450mg (pregnant women and nursing mothers). ... magnesium

A collagen disease in infants (hereditary) with lax joints permitting easy dislocation and strain.

Features: long fingers and arm span, high palate, kyphosis, etc.

Symptoms. Backache, pain in joints, dislocations.

Alternatives. Alfalfa, Fenugreek, Irish Moss, Kelp, Horsetail, Marshmallow, Bamboo gum.

Teas. Alfalfa, Comfrey leaves, Horsetail, Plantain, Silverweed. Any one: 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 10-15 minutes. 1 cup thrice daily.

Decoction. Fenugreek seeds 2; Horsetail 1; Bladderwrack 1; Liquorice half. Prepare: 3 heaped teaspoons to 1 pint (500ml) water gently simmered 10 to 20 minutes. 1 wineglass thrice daily. Fenugreek seeds decoction.

Diet. High protein, oily fish.

Supplements. Calcium, Dolomite, Zinc. ... marfan’s syndrome

Excessively overweight due mainly to fat which is carried under the skin and around internal organs.

Main cause: over-eating.

Some people may be ‘slow burners’ requiring metabolic stimulants. Almost all types profit by eating less. Low thyroid and adrenal disorders lead to slowing down and overweight. Excess starchy foods, particularly those containing sugar are converted into fat. Fruit, vegetables, meat and fish do not cause obesity. Select from the following alternatives.

Treatment. Increase metabolic rate and decrease body lipid content. Combine a laxative, diuretic and carminative.

Tea. Equal parts, Juniper, Senna leaves, Aniseed. 2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup morning and midday.

Phytomedicines in common use:–

Aniseed, Chickweed, Clivers, Bladderwrack (fatty degeneration of the heart), Fennel, Gotu Kola, Mate, Violet, Parsley, Garlic (Spanish traditional – 1 corm or 4 capsules daily), Black Cohosh (obesity of the menopause), Motherwort, Kelp (rich in iodine).

Any one – add Lady’s Mantle where associated with menstrual problems.

Tablets/capsules. Any of the above. Poke root.

Formula. Bladderwrack 2; Clivers 1; Hawthorn 1; Frangula bark half. Pinch Cayenne or few drops Tincture Capsicum. Dose: Liquid extracts: 1-2 teaspoons. Tinctures: 2-3 teaspoons. Powders: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon). Morning and midday.

Cider vinegar. Claimed to reduce weight.

Evening Primrose oil. Brings about a rise in plasma glycerol in the blood; an indicator that body fat is being mobilised. Dose: 4 × 500mg capsules daily.

Diet. 3-day fruit juice fast. Follow with lacto-vegetarian meals. Avoid frying pan. Reduce dietary fat. Jerusalem artichokes.

Supplements. Dolomite, Iron, Sulphur, Zinc.

Supportive. Weight-watchers exercises. ... obesity

(Sir James Paget, 1814-99) Osteitis deformans. Chronic inflammation of bone at focal points (Pagetic sites), often widespread. Chronic. Progressive softening followed by thickening with distortion. Renewal of new bone outstrips absorption of old bone. Enlargement of the skull (‘Big head’) and of the long bones. Broadened pelvis, distorted spine (kyphosis) from flattened vertebra. Male predominence. Over 40 years. Spontaneous fractures possible. Paget’s disease and diabetes may be associated in the same family.

Some authorities believe cause is vitamin and mineral deficiency – those which promote bone health being calcium and magnesium (dolomite). Supplementation helps cases but evidence confirms that some pet-owners are at risk – a virus from cats and dogs possibly responsible. The prime candidate is one exposed to canine distemper. Dogs are involved twice as much as cats. The virus is closely related to the measles virus in humans.

Symptoms. Limbs deformed, hot during inflammatory stage. Headaches. Dull aching pain in bones. Deafness from temporal bone involvement. Loss of bone rigidity. Bowing of legs.

Surgical procedures may be necessary. Appears to be a case for immunisation of dogs against distemper.

Alternatives. Black Cohosh, Boneset, Cramp bark, Bladderwrack, German Chamomile, Devil’s Claw, Helonias, Oat husks, Prickly Ash, Sage, Wild Yam.

Tea. Oats (mineral nutrient for wasting diseases) 2; Boneset (anti-inflammatory) 1; Valerian (mild analgesic) 1; Liquorice quarter. Mix. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. 1 cup thrice daily.

Decoction. Cramp bark 1; White Willow 2. Mix. 4 heaped teaspoons to 1 pint (500ml) water gently simmered 20 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup thrice daily.

Tablets/capsules. Cramp bark, Devil’s Claw, Echinacea, Helonias, Prickly Ash, Wild Yam.

Formula. Devil’s Claw 1; Black Cohosh 1; Valerian 1; Liquorice quarter. Dose: Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. Action enhanced when taken in cup of Fenugreek tea. Thrice daily. Every 2 hours acute cases.

Practitioner’s analgesic. Tincture Gelsemium: 10 drops in 100ml water. Dose: 1 teaspoon every 2 hours (inflammatory stage).

Topical. Comfrey root poultice.

Diet. High protein, low salt, low fat. Oily fish.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamin C (500mg); Vitamin D (1000mg); Calcium citrate (1 gram); Dolomite (1 gram); Beta-Carotene (7500iu). Kelp. ... paget’s disease