Jonathan answers reader's questions

By Jonathan Evans Herbalist & co-owner, the Herbarium, Special to PRIME Dear Jonathan, I have been diagnosed with bursitis, and been given NSAID's but they don't seem to do much and they are killing my stomach. Is there anything at the HERBARIUM that might help? Marty Dear Marty, Is there ever! For almost thirty years, we have regularly used a Dr. Clayton product called ARTH-HERBS. My dad used this for many years when nothing else would help. ARTH-HERBS contains herbs for relieving swelling, inflammation and pain associated with arthritis and rheumatism and is quite safe. Other products that could help should contain turmeric, MSM and traditional herbs such as Devil's Claw or Yucca. You might want to make sure you are taking enough minerals to help with repair. Dear Jonathan, On your radio program you spoke about something to use in your shoes to keep feet warm, but I cannot recall what it was. Can you help? Carl Dear Carl, We spoke about sprinkling cayenne pepper or ginger powder into boots and/or mittens. Cayenne pepper is a rubafacient, meaning its draws blood to the area. The increased circulation can really keep your feet warm for hours, even on the coldest days. Just sprinkle about a teaspoon or so (depending on the size of foot) into your boots, then put on your socks and slip into your boots. Even if your feet get wet later in the day, you will have warm feet. Do not, however, put cayenne into wet boots or else you will really feel heat! Some folks may also use ginger powder in their boots, or make a ginger bath at home. Make a good strong batch of ginger tea (a cup or two) in a saucepan, and add that to your bath water . that will keep you warm for hours and you will radiate heat like a small furnace. For the ladies, we also have a buttermilk based ginger bath, already made. It will warm you and beautify your skin. Dear Jonathan, Help! I have suddenly started having major hot flashes and am going out of my mind. My doctor is recommending HRT(Hormone Replacement Therapy) but it scares me. I tried Black Cohosh but it did not help. What else can I do? Karen Dear Karen, I don't want to sound like a broken record, but what matters in the effectiveness of any herbal remedy is quality, quality, quality. There is a major difference between brands. Saying you used Black Cohosh and it did not work is the same as saying I had a lemon of a car once. Does that mean all cars are lemons? Of course not, and the same is true for the herbs. Black Cohosh is the preferred herb and has been studied to death. It does work and one product that really works well is a combination of soy and Black Cohosh. We sell a ton of it and the ladies who have tried it sing its praises. I suggest that purchase and try The Herbarium's version of Black Cohosh at least once before you resort to other herbs. Jonathan Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx : Jonathan Evans via e-mail at info@theherbarium.com, or by regular mail at The Herbarium, 264 Exchange Street, Chicopee, MA 01013.