Suffer from seasonal allergies? Try natural remedies

By Jonathan Evans Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium Special to PRIME Dear Jonathan, My doctor has prescribed 50,000 iu's of vitamin D because he says I am deficient. That seems like a lot. Is it safe? — Jeanne Dear Jeanne, when people started coming in and telling me the amount they were taking, I thought it was a mistake. It seems to be a standard amount, though I have not yet found who came up with the figure. I have spoken to several nutritionists and doctors who are nutritionally savvy, and they don't know either. The Institute of Medicine has published the daily recommendations and that is about 4000 iu's. the Vitamin D Council (vitamindcouncil.org)says higher doses are okay. If you are uncomfortable with the dosage, ask your doctor. I have only heard of two people who had negative reactions to the fifty thousand unit dose. I had an interesting experience recently. A customer came looking for a supplement to replace his prescription. I won't tell you the name of the prescription, but his pharmacist said it was essentially a B vitamin. His insurance did not cover the prescription and a one month supply was $156. After a little research, I found the pharmaceutical was indeed only a supplement (vitamin B-3). What I found very interesting on the website was it stated this product is used to treat specific conditions and diseases, and directly below was the famous disclaimer box that says the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements and the product is not intended to diagnose cure or treat any disease! Well, which is it? A prescription, or a supplement? Either way it is the same product, same strength and my bottle would have set this man back 15 bucks. It makes me wonder sometimes. The same industry that does everything it can to denigrate and demean supplements apparently does not mind using the same product to take money out of an unsuspecting public's pocket. I have seen recent commercials for a prescription fish oil. My question is simple. What could the pharmaceutical industry do to simple fish oil to cause it to be A) a prescription and B) have warnings attached? Dear Jonathan, Help! My allergies are killing me. Runny nose, itchy eyes, you name it I got it. What do you have to help? — Desperate Housewife Dear DH, Come on down, we have a wide variety of products to help with the whole array of symptoms. Right now tree and grass pollens are worse. We have several homeopathic remedies to work on the acute symptoms, that are specific for this time of year. For longer term relief I have depended on "Dr. Clayton's Sinus-Ade." This product is an old fashioned formula that helps to reduce mucous production, soothe mucous membrane inflammation, and build up your tolerance for the pollen or allergens. Herbarium brand "Aller-Calm" is a tincture containing such traditional ingredients as nettle, eyebright, yerba santa and American ephedra. There is also a liquid form, "Buried Treasure" that is fast acting, and good tasting, which contains quercetin, bromelain and other ingredients. This product has become very popular with our customers who do not like taking pills. — 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. If you are requesting additional information from Jonathan, please include a self-addrresed stamped envelope.