By Jonathan Evans
Herbal Information Specialist for the Herbarium
Dear readers:
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
I know many of you have been expecting a primer on minerals, similar to the series I did on vitamins, many have been asking for something updated on the importance of probiotics, and more want answers to questions that come in. The problem is time and space. I only have this column and sometimes things happen in between my column deadlines that have to take precedent. Please be patient, as I will get these subjects covered as soon as I can.
That said, here are answers to some of the queries that have piled up on my desk:
CBD: drug tests and birth control
CBD or cannabidiol has become very popular alternative treatment. I even have several doctors recommending it for their patients, which is quite a step for allopathic medicine.
Many of you have asked about CBD and drug tests, especially people carrying CDL licenses. Some of the initial information we received indicated it was all right to use CBD. Now however, since CDL’s are federal licenses and the drug tests are looking for any cannabis related product in your urine, it would be wise to skip using CBD for the near future.
The question of birth control and CBD use has also been raised. From the research I have seen, it would depend on the type of birth control product one is using. It is advised that you speak with your doctor and see if your type of pill is safe to use with CBD.
Essential oils storage, use
The battle with the misinformation being spread by multi level marketers pertaining to essential oil purity and use continues. We always recommend customers store essential oils in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and to help them last longer. I’ve learned some marketers have told people, “our oils are pure so they will not turn or oxidize, so you do not need to refrigerate.”
This information is WRONG. Everything on earth oxidizes. We oxidize. It is a fact of life. If someone is selling oil that does not oxidize, it must have some preservative in it. Or it is not a pure essential oil.
Finally, despite the many times I have written about using essential oils neat (undiluted) or ingesting the oils, people continue to believe the marketers – excuse me, the “independent distributors.”
Let me put this to you in very direct economic terms:
They sell oils. If you use them undiluted and you consume them, you will use a lot more and thus have to buy more, making them more money. I sell oils, and I stress that you should not use them neat or ingest them, meaning I will make less money. Why would I do that – because that is the safe and proper way for my customers to use essential oils. Is that clear enough?
Alternative help for Vertigo
Vertigo is a complicated condition; it can be caused by a wide variety of conditions including inflammation, circulation, nerve damage, medications, arteriosclerosis, age, and so much more. If you have a diagnosis that cannot pinpoint a cause, there are a few things that you can try. Alternative medicine treatments include Ginkgo biloba for circulation, Ginger for inflammation and circulation, and several homeopathic remedies.
If the doctor says your vertigo is being caused by the little crystals in the ear that are out of place, one old trick may help. Remember when you had a water bubble in your ear from swimming? Falling on that side onto a bed used to help pop the bubble. Try it. It may jar the crystals back into place. What the heck, you have nothing to lose.
Eggs – not a health villain
One final thing this month – I want to give a big shout out to Carrie Taylor, Big Y’s registered dietician. She recently wrote an article defending the eating of eggs. To her credit, she dissected the recently reported study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and pointed out the flaws in the study. Then she explained the nutritional value of eggs.
I have touted the consumption of eggs for decades. The idea that the egg yolk was the culprit in high cholesterol always seemed suspect to me. The bacon fat or sausage consumed with your eggs would be the obvious problem. An egg is almost a perfect food. One other thing, the yolk may have cholesterol, but the white contains inositol and choline, which help keep the cholesterol in suspension. See what I mean by a perfect food? Congrats to Carrie on this one.
Until next month
— Jonathan
Send questions on botanical remedies to: Natures Rx: Jonathan Evans at herbarium258@gmail.com, or by regular mail to: The Herbarium, 264 Exchange St., Chicopee, MA 01013. If requesting additional info, include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
