I am hoping to start a new thread for this topic. Two pages and 46 replies is a bit long but I find the topic interesting - apparently so do a lot of other folks. I particularly enjoyed NancyH's replies regarding logic and statistics. It is not too scientific to compare apples with oranges. Medical professionals have to be licensed and most are required to participate in continuing education in order to renew their licenses. It seems logical to me that there may be a lot more statistics available regarding licensed professionals than there are regarding unlicensed people when it comes to mistakes, etc.

rhody - did I misunderstand your recent post where you told your Dr. that you weren't using herbs - only using herbal tea? And in the next paragraph, you said that you were using herbs. It isn't a good idea to not disclose your herbal use to your Dr. If your Dr. is displaying a judgemental attitude towards herbal users, then it is time to find a different Dr. Herbs have medicinal properties as do prescribed medications and OTC medications - otherwise, why would people use them.

Some herbs can react dangerously with some prescribed medications so medical professionals need to be aware of a patient's herbal use. I am not opposed to the use of herbs. I have used some myself but I try find out as much as I can about the herbs I decide to use and not take more than the "so-called recommended dose". Too much of some herbs can be as bad (if not worse) than too much of some prescribed medications.

I know more about herbs (but not that much) than any other types of alternative medicines and I believe that it is possible for western medicine and alternative medicines to peacefully coexist if people remain open and nonjudgemental with one another. Well, I think that's it for me for today.

You are so correct....Always, Always, let your doc know what herbs you are taking. I would even go as far as letting my pharmacist know also....Thanks, eddie

I wish there was a better coexistance between eastern medicine and western docs. I have discovered accupunture for pain and it is so much more effective than meds and without the rebound and tolerance. I hear valerian can be dangerous when used in high dosages or when mixed with sedatives or alcohol, does anyone know anything about this?

Brookej,

I don't recall what recent post that you are referring concerning to that I mentioned taking herbal teas to a doctor. It was probably to my dermatologist's staff.

Actually, at that time and now, I consume only a very small amount of herbal teas. Before I had my mercury-silver dental amalgams removed, I consumed probably about four to six times as much. I had so much trouble in those days, that I was doing everything that I could to stay healthy despite all the pains. Yes, it is a good idea disclosing taking herbs to your doctor, and yes, some doctors might display judgemental attitude towards the taking of herbs. But the amount that I take today, is very small, so in my judgement, it wasn't at that time, worth telling everything to him. All I had done was have some rough spots frozen off my skin....

One of the best herbs that I took about 17 years ago (to relieve my muscle aches and pains) was Ginseng. It was absolutely marvelous. I usually drank this tea late in the evening after dinner. It was just a small amount from a store bought brand in a tea bag, mixed with other herbs in the tea bag. That was way before I got into buying bulk herbs and making lots and lots of batches of these teas to aid in my healing (as my pains got worse each year, until I had those amalgams removed).

I'm still running 19.5 miles a week, plus now I walk at lunch hour another 2 to 4 miles a week. Occasionally, I will have some mild foot pain if I run too fast. The most recent pain was on the achilles heel. I found that taking more herbs, plus eating fresh spinach has a way of making the pains diminish for me (for reasons I don't know why). I'm also still experimenting with cilantro.

As you know, before I had my dental amalgams removed, I was told by a doctor to not run more than a hundred yards. I was crippled so much. These fibromyalgia type symptoms are very much misunderstood, and so are the poisoning from dental amalgams. All I know, is that years of nutritional eating habits, herbs, and the removal of those toxins have totally changed my life. I hope that you find the things that are causing your foot problems. I'm sure that you will. When you do, you will probably tell everyone like I do.... I encourage you to keep seeking - I wish you well.