For the first time that I can remember, a major and respected Medical group is recommending a non-drug approach to childhood disorders FIRST!

"In a comprehensive review, the American Psychological Association urged in August that for childhood mental disorders, ''in most cases,'' non drug treatment ''be considered first,'' including techniques that focus on parents' skills, as well as enlisting teachers' help. "

This is truly a hopeful sign, leading, one hopes, to more children being given the help they actually need to perform, rather than being trained from childhood to think of a pill as the answer to all problems.

The New York Times article "Parenting as therapy for child's mental disorders"

You may remember last year I posted information about a direct attempt by Wyeth, the maker of synthetic hormone replacements, to make the compounding and formulating of bio-identical hormones illegal.

Not only would this have removed from health store shelves the standard menopausal comforts, it would also have meant that your Doctor could not send to your compounding pharmacy for your personal prescription.

That attempt was foiled, but in a turn-around from its historical stand the American Medical Association is now considering a request from certain member groups to petition the FDA to declare compounded medication illegal. Wyeth has contributed some thousands of dollars to the groups within the AMA which have put forward this resolution.

The AMA has in the past defended the right of Doctors to decide what treatment to administer, and many Americans support their health using  certain drugs “off-label” and compounded medications for their health that are lawful and medically appropriate, even though they are not “FDA-approved.”

If the FDA is permitted to regulate this physician discretion, while it may start with restrictions on compounding bio-identical hormones, it could lead to regulation of all  medicines for off-label uses.  My own use of Naltrexone for cancer would be affected.

Go here to send a letter to the President of the AMA to express your concern over this broadening of FDA power into areas which should be the sole purview of your Doctor.

If I were a drug company and I wished to patent a readily available and inexpensive natural substance which has been shown to prevent disease, what would I do?

I think that first of all, I would make it sound as though my version were not only different but superior.

And I would definitely try to show that the natural version is not only ineffective but dangerous, even in the teeth of evidence to the contrary. I might even try to manipulate a focus on those side effects ....

I would probably say something like "our improved version will have therapeutic results without the dangerous side effects of the natural substance".

Ta Da!  Watch for a pharmaceutical version of Vitamin D in the next few years.

Vitamin D analogue

Vitamin D5 Ready for Clinical Trials in Breast Cancer

We have moved - thank goodness it is over.  With the best will in the world, I know we made some errors during the move, and fell from our usual stellar standards.  I hope we are forgiven, and all is now organized again.

We are in an old J.C. Penney's bullding on the square in Macomb Illinois, opposite our beautiful courthouse.  One day, we will restore the old hardwood floors and the original tin ceiling, but for now, while we are still waiting for some of our new inventory - here we are.

For the dog lovers among you - here is my pack in our latest snow!

I cannot get out of my mind's eye the contrasting pictures of that unfortunate Russian in his prime, and as he lay dying after being poisoned by Polonium. 

If the fact that anyone who smokes and is reading this, is ALSO being exposed to that same poison, doesn't prove to be the final impetus needed to stop .. providing the determination necessary for success in this difficult step ... well, the rest of this sentence is censored.  I know from watching my own Mother die how hard it is to stop smoking. 

The original Dirty Bomb

While I am grateful that we are far better off than some, since we still have power,  our area is one solid sheet of ice:  I thought those of you basking in more temperate climes (between hurricanes, of course!)  might enjoy this picture taken from my back door.

I I wish I had been holding the camera earlier, when my two huge Irish Wolfies went involuntarily skating!!

So, does Echinacea help with colds or not?  The studies I like say it does:  it both protects against the onset of a cold, and shortens its duration.  It also protects against respiratory infections.  

What about the studies I DON'T like?  It helps to consider the source.  When a negative study can be traced back to a non-neutral source, it will almost always be found that the herb administered is either 1) the non-effective part medicinally or 2) given in incorrect amounts.

Bear this in mind whenever you see a negative study on a nutrient:  1) what is the source of the study? and 2) does it go against the majority of other study results? A discriminating intelligence will determine the truth.

Where there is no disagreement, however, is in the warnings which suggest that OTC cold medications are not safe for young children.  This quote from the report gives me extra amusement: "There are no studies demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of cold and cough medications in this under age 2 population,"  says Ian Paul, MD, a pediatrician and assistant professor of pediatrics at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pa.

I recall very well how frightening it is to be a Mother with a sick child, but with fevers,  remember that high temperatures have a purpose:  they are Nature's way of fighting a disturbance in the body.  Unless the child is very uncomfortable, it is best to let fever run its course.  Here is an explanation ( including when to worry) with valuable information, though I do not endorse the references to ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Zinc Echinacea tablets for Children

Try Gaias's Quick defense for your self

This is certainly different - some enterprising enterpreneur is targeting those who can't even make it to the Kitchen in the morning for their caffeine.

Introducing CAFFEINATED SOAP - I am not joking!  Absorb it through your skin in the shower, and be ready to go in an instant (!).

Sort of like an all-over enema.

The details here

You have to hand it to the Canadians - they have inventive minds!  A new study from a Hospital in Toronto suggests that Chili Peppers may actually CURE diabetes.  This is remarkable news. 

Here is a link to the excellent blog, Diabetes Mine, and its report.

"I've never seen anything like it," said Dr. Hans Michael Dosch, an immunologist at the hospital and a leader of the studies. "In my career, this is unique."

Here is the newspaper report of the breakthrough.

Here is a Capsaicin spray for instant entry into the blood stream

Here are are capsules of Capsaicin, in a form that will not irritate even sensitive stomachs

A couple of days of relative silence can be explained by the fact that we have been moving our physical store, and I am exhausted!  We will have the phones back up tomorrow, Wednesday.

All the very best for a heathy and prosperous 2007 to all our dear friends and customers.