HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: bulwinkl@stein.u.washington.edu (In Cognito)
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
Subject: Bach Flower Remedies
Date: 6 Jan 93 02:13:08 GMT
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu



First of all, if you are a knee-jerk reactionary, please don't
respond to this post.  I'm not interested in reading yet another
dozen remarks by people who think that if they don't know the
explanation for something, surely it is impossible.  Please go
have a conversation with someone who is interested in talking
to you - you are not going to impress me.

For alternative health care afficianados only:


I slept on a hide-a-bed over the holidays and developed nasty
back spasms.  I'm also experiencing laziness and despondancy
about work/school.  I dug up my old bottles of Bach Flower
Remedies and dosed myself with Star of Bethlehem, Walnut,
Larch and Wild Oat.  They haven't helped my back, but I felt
more mental energy after taking them.

My boyfriend is a Certified Massage Practitioner and did some
work on my back, which stopped the worst spasms, but it is
still painful.  Meditation has helped ease muscle knots in
the past, but doesn't seem to be enough now.  Other than
drinking lots of "Stressed Out" tea and/or some booze, are
there any remedies to release the (presumably) emotional
knots in my back?  Do those flower remedies seem to be the
appropriate ones?

I haven't seen any discussion of Bach Flower Remedies yet
in this newsgroup - perhaps from fear of the above-mentioned
knee-jerk reactionaries!  ;-)
Have any of you out there had any success using them?

I am a graduate student who is interested in brain research.
The analytical aspect of scientific research requires a
very different mindset from that used to do personal
experiential searching.  A hot-shot buddhist monk has told
me to do PSI research, and says that I should do this by
meditating and utilyzing the latent powers of the mind.
This is fine, but it is hard to use both mindsets at once.
Any suggestions for tools (crutches!) that can facillitate
moving from one mindset to another?  I find that the smart
drugs give me a headache:  I don't need to stimulate the
neurons, just focus their abilities differently.  Thanks
in advance for any constructive new ideas!
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
From: gch5562@usl.edu (Harrison Garrison C)
Subject: Re: Cold and Flu treatment- questions
Organization: U.L. 
Distribution: all
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 07:14:08 GMT

D
 In response to all the questions on cold and flu treatments and remedies, I  
read this ad:

" Every year there are annoying cold and flu problems.  But there is now a
routine, with the help of some household substances used to make certain
mixtures presently under research, and is showing good results especially
for preventing but also quickly ridding colds and influenza.  CAUTION:
This information is still under research.  You may consult a physician if
data is used for human application.  For instructional data booklet send
a $5.00 check or money order payable to H.B. Harrison (address to G.B.D.
P.O. Box 613, Crowley, La. 70526)."

I haven't heard much from the establishement about G.B.D.'s methods, but
I 'm willing to give it a go!
:wq


B
B
From: greg@antizen.EBay.Sun.COM
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
Subject: Re: homeopathy
Date: 5 Jan 1993 00:44:18 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Distribution: world
Reply-To: greg@antizen.EBay.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: antizen.ebay.sun.com


In article 16830@klaava.Helsinki.FI, vhalkka@klaava.Helsinki.FI (Vesa Halkka) writes:
> In <1hssu9INNgpt@rave.larc.nasa.gov> kludge@grissom.larc.nasa.gov (Scott Dorsey) writes:
> >>
> >>One of the really nice things about homeopathic remedies are that they're
> >>essentially guaranteed to be safe, especially as potencies increase (after
> >>all, they're just sugar pills, right? :)
> 
> >I'll definitely buy that, and that's why I wouldn't ever attempt to
> >dissuade anyone from using them.  They certainly won't harm you (other
> >than your pocketbook), and who knows?  They might even do some good.
> 
> >>As long as it doesn't delay other appropriate medical treatment, and it
> >>doesn't cost more than is reasonable (what is reasonable is a personal
> >>decision, of course -- homeopathy is generally reasonably priced as
> >>compared to other therapies, though), trying homeopathy can't hurt.
> 
> >True enough.
> 
> The ugly side of the story is, that there are Homeopathic gurus
> who tell the patient to throw away all conventional medicines,
> because they make homeopathic stuff uneffective.
> And what we do we get ? Children dying to diabetes, for example.
> 
> VesA


In the final analysis, there's no excuse for a lack of common sense.
Everyone does the same things, for completely different reasons. I
can imagine people going whole-hog on homeopathy or other alternative
sorts of things as a life style or pseudo religion. I believe this is
how people get hurt by extremists.

There are a list of things that should be avoided, coffee and camphor are
two, and as a general rule, one should avoid drugs as much as is practical
while using homeopathics, but you can't hurt yourself by discontinuing
medications that you depend on.

I hear stories of practicioners who advocate throwing away of medicine,
but this has never been suggested by anyone I've seen.

Greg
From: traub@rtf.bt.co.uk (Michael Traub)
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
Subject: Re: Vaccinations?
Date: 5 Jan 93 10:45:17 GMT
Organization: BT Customer Systems, Brighton, UK

In article <1993Jan5.093244.3495@rtf.bt.co.uk> traub@rtf.bt.co.uk (Michael Traub) writes:
>If you are going to have your child immunised with the
>live polio vaccine then it is sensible to take booster shots yourself.

Or sugar cubes, naturally.




-- 
Michael Traub
BT Customer Systems, Brighton Systems Centre. traub@btcs.bt.co.uk

    JOE, taxi driver: Unemployment will rise and sooner or later the
    masses will revolt against it. There'll be civil disorder and the
    further breakdown of civil society. The end result I hope will be
    the triumph of the people over capitalism. I also wouldn't mind
    if a few more people used taxis this year - '92 was rotten.

(Taken from "Hopes and Fears" in The Guardian, December 31st 1992, a
section which looked at what people saw 1993 bringing)
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
From: bsimon@stsci.edu (Bernie Simon)
Subject: Re: Analysis of Homeopathy Literature
Organization: None. This saves me from writing a disclaimer.
	<BSIMON.93Jan11070344@elvis.stsci.edu>
	<1993Jan12.012413.7758@netcom.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 12:42:52 GMT

I'd like to respond to several point in your posting.

+ I have no idea what a double blind test of 100 patients with colds
would cost. I imagine it depends on how much was volunteer labor by
the doctors and the patients. I didn't answer previously because I
thought it was a rhetorical question.

+ Prescription of medicine by the law of similars is so-called
classical homeopathy and is what is practiced by the great majority of
homeopaths in this country. I've never read any homeopathic literature
which advocated or approved of prescription by disease category. On
the contrary, it is always held up as the way NOT to do homeopathy.
Perhaps someone better read in homeopathy or better acquainted with it
than me knows of current practitioners who advocate this kind of
prescription.  Since classical homeopathy is the form most often
practiced, it would seem tests should be designed to evaluate it
before trying to test other forms.

+ I agree that homeopathic medicine can be tested in double blind
tests. Where I disagreed with your previous post is that some
medicines might be found to be effective and others not effective.
There is a single theoretical principle to be tested in homeopathy,
the law of similars. It is the law of similars that must be found to
be effective or not.

+ Patients do have a habit of getting better in spite of their
doctors. I guess this makes the doctor's job easier than the computer
programmer's. However, it makes the clinical researcher's job harder,
which is why we have controlled tests. I should add that homeopathy
is often used to treat chronic illnesses and homeopathic doctors feel
they get good results in treating them. For example, in the previous
issue of "Natural Health" a naturopath talked about using homeopathy
to treat Attention Deficit Disorder. She said she had treated about 30
children with the problem and she said she got good results in about
80% of the cases.

--
Bernie Simon (bsimon@stsci.edu) -- Looking for a 90's answer to a 60's question
		

Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
From: jsbus@netcom.com (JSB Corp)
Subject: Re: Brain Machines
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 00:10:27 GMT

bbl7597@ritvax.isc.rit.edu writes:

>I am looking to buy a brain machine to handle my stress. They claim
>to induce alpha brain waves. Does anybody have any recommendations
>or warnings. 
>Bruce   
Have you used them before?  I have a inexpensive one (retail ~$200,
$50 through Damark 800 729 9000) that is 
basically one red LED over each eye with
a variable speed flash for Alpha, beta, etc.  It is named "relax mate"
or something similar.  I use it now and again, but it is not the ultimate
in relaxation (a hot tub is :-) ).

Seriously, a machine with multiple lights over each eye will be
more entertaining, by producing a more colorful eyelid movie.  It may 
not be more effectivie, but if it is more fun you will use it more.

It is my experience that most (75%) of the people I have shared the Relaxmat 
with don't really like it, so I would encourage you to try the technolgy first,
or buy with some sort of a return policy.

In terms of warnings, don't even think about using them if you are epeleptic.

If anyone wishes to dialog about this, my adress is tom@jsbus.com,
not the account I posted on.

Tom Wallace
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
From: dkeisen@leland.Stanford.EDU (Dave Eisen)
Subject: Re: Juicers
Organization: Sequoia Peripherals, Inc.
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 93 20:36:47 GMT

In article <1993Jan5.165326.29298@samba.oit.unc.edu> london@sunSITE.unc.edu (Larry London) writes:
>In article <1993Jan4.192931.1311@cbnewsl.cb.att.com> 
>rkaren@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (robert.karen) writes:
>>I am interested in buying a juice maker and I have no idea what to
>>look for. I see prices ranging from $39 to the sky is the limit. The 
>>only feature that I know I want is that it should be easy to clean.
>>Can anybody give me some simple guidelines or refer me to any publication
>>similar to Consumer Reports. Please email to rkaren\@hlwpw.att.com.
>
>Champion Juicer, preferably the industrial model (a little more costly
>but has a heavier-duty motor which allows more flexibility when processing
>fruit, nuts, vegetables, herbs). Around $325 I would guess. I have one of
>these and am very satisfied with it; it's easy to clean and is versatile
>enough to juice parsley. A grain mill is available for it too.
>

I'll second this. I have a Champion too, use it just about
every day and I'm very happy with it. According to the
alternative health mavens I know, the method it uses to
extract the juice (the mastication method) produces more
effective juice than the typical rotary juicer. I have no
idea if this is marketing hype or there's really something
to it; all I know is that I feel a hell of a lot better
since I started using it to make myself carrot and other
vegetable juices.

I have the regular model (which cost around $200) and I would 
agree with Larry that if you can afford it and are planning to 
use it regularly on things a little tougher than carrots that 
you might want to consider the industrial model. Mine seems to be 
straining itself once in a while when I put a heavy load on it. 

It hasn't really been a problem, but that's only because Plastaket's 
customer support is so good ---- a few months after the 1 yr. warrantee 
had expired, my juicer started leaking oil. I called Plastaket and they 
told me to ship it to them and they'd fix it. Not only did they put new 
parts in it in record turnaround time, the juicer came back along with a 
check for $10 to cover my shipping costs.




-- 
Dave Eisen                               Sequoia Peripherals: (415) 967-5644
dkeisen@leland.Stanford.EDU              Home:                (415) 321-5154
       There's something in my library to offend everybody. 
          --- Washington Coalition Against Censorship
From: kaminski@netcom.com (Peter Kaminski)
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
Subject: Re: Ayurveda
Date: 12 Jan 93 17:16:04 GMT
Article-I.D.: netcom.1993Jan12.171604.26009
Organization: The Information Deli - via Netcom / San Jose, California

In <C0M6tC.A7H@iat.holonet.net> phoffman@orac.holonet.net (Paul E. Hoffman) writes:

>Just a note to all: there are ***many*** more people reading this
>newsgroup than are posting. After I announced my ayurveda newsletter,
>I've received about 25 requests for it (which I have responded to).
>Almost none of those people have posted to the newsgroup. Either those
>of us who practice ayurveda don't like to post, or are too shy, or
>something.

That sounds about right.  I generally figure there are about 10 people
who don't post for every 1 that does -- that can easily vary by an
order of magnitude either way, depending on the group and subject, of
course.

Pete
From: shagan@gandalf.rutgers.edu (Susan R. Hagan)
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
Subject: Re: appetite supression
Keywords: appetite suppression,herbal
Date: 4 Jan 93 16:36:33 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

rowlands@flash.pax.tpa.com.au (David  Rowlands) writes:

>Can anyone suggest a method of appetite supression, herbal or otherwise
>except modern drugs.

To suppress the appetite temporarily, in order to avoid overeating at
mealtime, or over snacking, I recommend a hot beverage such as
decaffinated tea with a little skim milk.  Or even a cup of hot skim
milk.  I pour skim milk in a coffee mug and microwave for 2 minutes.

Hot liquid is an excellent appetite suppressent.

Also,  V-8 juice, has only 35 calories per serving, no fat, and is
very filling.




-- 
Susan R. Hagan (shagan@gandalf.rutgers.edu) 
Publications Coordinator - User Services
Rutgers University Computing Services
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
From: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative,sci.med
Subject: Re: Orthomolecular Approaches to Medicine
Date: 4 Jan 93 15:51:52 GMT
Reply-To: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Followup-To: misc.health.alternative
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <1hivviINNlgj@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu> fish@ecst.csuchico.edu (Kevin Haddock) writes:
>
>Thanks so much for coming to my rescue here!  It seems I wasn't too
>[...some teriffic stuff about Pauling deleted...]
>
>far off.  What I remembered was from reading one of Pauling's books about
>8 years ago.
>

Saying Pauling won the Nobel prize for orthomolecular medicine
was WAY off.

>Oh, and a short question for the good doctor who thought my comments were
>preposterous and were "A couple of howlers about Pauling":
>

I agree with him, it was preposterous.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "I have given you an argument; I am not obliged
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  to supply you with an understanding." -S.Johnson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
From: bsimon@stsci.edu (Bernie Simon)
Subject: Re: homeopathy
Organization: None. This saves me from writing a disclaimer.
	<BSIMON.93Jan8131950@elvis.stsci.edu> <C0JxEt.A8n@ecf.toronto.edu>
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 12:12:38 GMT

In article <C0JxEt.A8n@ecf.toronto.edu> rosen@ecf.toronto.edu (ROSEN
Dan) writes:

   You are indeed. For example, the AMA just published some studies in which 
   they show that some (most of the) claims of Trascendental meditation 
   (reduced metabolism, heart rate, etc.) are quite bogus. People in 
   controlled groups listeningto music achieved the same results. 
   I'm quoting from memory, so I may not be very accurate. I think this was 
   in the spring 1992 issue (+-1) of the SkepticalInquire. Just as a side 
   issue, the AMA also had something to say (and clearlynot good) about the 
   Ajur Veda products that the maharishi is profitablymarketing.just some 
   thoughts.

I remember reading the same thing in the Skeptical Inquirer. As I
recall it wasn't the AMA that published the study on meditation, but
two independent researchers. This is from memory, and my memory may be
as fallible as yours. While I admit the Skeptical Inquirer is
interesting reading, I do not think it is a good source for objective
studies of the value of meditation. I can say more on the subject if
someone provides a citation in a journal that I can get access to.
--
Bernie Simon (bsimon@stsci.edu) -- Looking for a 90's answer to a 60's question
		

Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
From: lwebb@sscvx1.ssc.gov (Lynn Webb [Auntie Lynn, to you])
Subject: Re: Cold and Flu treatment- questions
Summary: amounts I use for tea
Keywords: tea, cold, flu, measures
Organization: Superconducting Super Collider Laboratory
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 14:51:37 GMT

In article <1992Dec30.191234.13392@sarah.albany.edu>, la1002@albnyvms.bitnet (Clover M.) writes:
> Hi!  I like the way that herbal tea mixture looks, but I don't see how much
> water it uses.  If I was making 1 pint of tea, for example, would I use 
> 1 teaspoon = 1 part? Hlaf a teaspoon? 1 gram?
> 
> Clover
> la1002@albnyvms.bitnet
> This is my very first sig.file
> 
-- 

Sorry -- long holiday.  

I've just started trying to participate in these
internet discussions and my spelling is evidently a great problem -- I'm
seriously dyslexic -- so if this is a problem to people here, I will bow out. 
Just let me know.

I usually make teas by the 4-cup pot.  (actually, a 4-cup pyrex measureing cup
since it will take the heat so well, pour nicely, and is easy to clean)

For a 4-cup pot I use 1 level teaspoon as the single measure (this is 
approximate since most of these herbs will not level easily).  There is usually
just enough time to measure the herbs I need into this measureing cup while
waiting for the water to come to a boil on the stove.  (always start from cold
water).

And they're right -- pennyroyal is not for pregnant women.  But otherwise it's
good for cyclical problems -- like raspberry leaf, angelica and others. 

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
+ Lynn Webb          	          \\ Auntie Lynn                               =
= Technical Document Specialist   // Creator of Fairy Tales  		       +
+ Physics Research Division       \\ Alive and well in Poetry, Texas (really)  =
= Decnet: sscvx1::lwebb           //  ...just a small problem                  +
+ Internet: lwebb@sscvx1.ssc.gov  \\     with Cartesian duality ....           =
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
disclaimer:
	If this were somebody else's opinion, I'd think they were crazy.
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
From: webber@cwis.unomaha.edu (Joan Livingston-Webber)
Subject: Re: Natural Cat Flea Remedy Request
Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 18:09:27 GMT


How long did friend try yeast?  Took about a month for my 3 cats,
using about 3-4 tablespoons mixed with water in each bowl of dry 
food.  They still scratch sometimes, but I'm not waked up by food
thumpers.  That was 6 months ago.  Now they complain if they don't
get their yeast.
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
From: rkaplan@netcom.com (Richard Kaplan)
Subject: Re: Analysis of Homeopathy Literature
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 22:58:15 GMT

In article <BSIMON.93Jan8130340@elvis.stsci.edu> bsimon@stsci.edu
 (Bernie Simon) writes:

>While I'll admit that some studies of homeopathy have given negative
>results, the majority of studies have given positive results. This
>applies to both the high quality studies and the totality of all
>studies of homeopathy. This is what the BMJ survey says and why I cite
>it in favor of homeopathy.

As with allopathy, no one study can validate or disprove 
homeopathy.  What any given group of studies can do
is to support or refute any given treatment.  Based upon
this data, treatment strategies should be continually
revised.  

I am concerned that the majority of studies of homeopathy
were performed *AFTER* the treatments had been in use 
clinically.  Now that some of them have been disproved, I
suspect that these treatments continue to be prescribed
by some practitioners (please correct me if I am wrong).

Even if double-blinded studies cannot be performed, *SOME* 
positive data should be available and published in a
public forum for evaluation before a treatment is 
prescribed in routine clinical use.  This is true of all 
legitimate allopathic interventions (yes, there are 
some illegitimate allopathic practitioners) but
not necessarily true of legitimate (i.e. sanctioned
by a practitioner's peers) homeopathic interventions.  

>>   appropriate evaluation/estimation of any given patient's
>>   natural disease history requires that a diagnosis be made
>>   based upon appropriate scientific/clinical information, something
>>   that non-M.D./non-D.O. homeopaths are not licensed to do.

>I don't disagree. If someone has a serious medical problem, they
>should see a licensed doctor, homeopath, allopath, or whatever.

Licensed homeopath?  Do you mean M.D./D.O., or do you mean 
chiropractor/accupuncturist?  If you mean the former, we
agree here.  If you mean the latter, how are those 
practitioners trained to handle serious medical problems?

In any event, I do not approve of a non-M.D./D.O. 
homeopath providing any sort of primary care, even
for "non-serious" medical problems.  How would such
a practitioner know to distinguish between "serious"
appendicitis and "non-serious" gastroenteritis,
for example?  Or between degenerative arthritis of the
hip and avascular necrosis of the femoral head?  Etc., etc.

-- 
Richard Kaplan M.D.           Medical Software Exchange BBS
806 2nd St. SW # 104          (507) 281-1989 14,400 HST
Rochester, MN  55902          (507) 281-1689 Voice
PP-ASEL-IA     N4VRB          rkaplan@mayo.edu|netcom.netcom.com  
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative
From: pedwards@csli.stanford.edu (Paul N Edwards)
Subject: re. anti-oxidants
Organization: CSLI, Stanford University
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 19:08:14 GMT


One prescription-drug antioxidant is Hydergine, also well known as
a "smart" drug. Among other effects it improves oxygen metabolism in
the brain. In Europe it is given intravenously during operations
in which heavy blood loss is possible - a person without Hydergine
will die in less than 5 minutes if blood flow to the brain stops,
while one with Hydergine can survive for 30 minutes!

Hydergine is also extremely safe, with no known toxic dose. It's the
5th most prescribed drug in the world (often for old people, for
whom it's thought to improve memory).

For more info see Life Extension, by Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw.