What’s the alternative? Cellulite, cancer, viral myocarditis

The problem we face is that, unlike the billion-dollar pharmaceutical business, the herbal or “natural” market, while growing, represents only a tiny fraction of that commerce and nobody really has the funds, or inclination, to run trials to research potential side effects.

The only reason St John’s wort, the herbal antidepressant, now comes with a warning that it should not be used if you are taking the contraceptive pill is that a few years ago, a cluster of women in Europe reported break-through bleeding when mixing this herb with the pill. And, you might ask, how come these women all lived in the same country? Was that just a coincidence, or was there some other agenda because that herb was gaining prominence as a good alternative to conventional antidepressants for tackling mild-to-moderate depression?

When researching contraindications, I rely on a variety of resources, all produced for pharmacists, which is about as good as it gets. So, what I can tell you about gotu kola — which helps to tackle cellulite by preventing both the breakdown of fat cells and water retention between the connective tissues — is that it should not be mixed with sedatives, diabetic drugs or medicines that lower cholesterol, and that there have been, to date, no reported adverse reactions among women using this herb while taking the contraceptive pill.

Q. My wife has just ended a six-week course of chemotherapy and, on your advice, used schisandra, which she thinks helped to keep up her strength through the treatment and to stay positive and cheerful throughout. Our question now is, should she continue taking it, and, if so, for how long?

J Giles, by e-mail

A. In 1969, a Soviet scientist, Dr II Brekhman, reported that soldiers who took ginseng extract were able to run faster in a 3km race than those who had been given a placebo pill. He was the first researcher to apply the term “adaptogen” to ginseng and other herbs, including schisandra, defining an adaptogen as “any substance that enables the body to cope better with stress”.

Since then, the Russians have funded more than 2,000 studies into the health benefits of individual adaptogens, which is why we can be so specific about which one to use and when.

Schisandra is the adaptogen of choice for anyone who is undergoing cancer treatments, or any form of surgery, for two key reasons: it can help the liver to process the toxic chemicals involved in those treatments, and it is also a more potent antioxidant than any of the more popular vitamin antioxidants, including A, C and E.

My advice to your wife is to continue indefinitely with a daily maintenance dose of 500mg, since it has proved such a beneficial adjunct to her treatment. Do make sure, however, that her doctors and other health advisors are aware that she is using this herb.

Q. I had a baby girl who was born in perfect health, but died at three weeks old from viral myocarditis. I am now expecting again (20 weeks), and want to know if there is anything I can take now, or while breast-feeding, to help boost my baby’s immune system?

C Griffiths, by e-mail

A. I am sorry for your loss, and hope that you have the emotional, physical and spiritual support you need to aid you and your new baby to a happier outcome.

Dealing with strengthening the baby’s immune system is simple — all you need to do now is take a probiotic. This will safely help to ensure your immune system is functioning optimally, and you will pass on that immunity to your baby when you breast-feed.

I would also find a good osteopath who uses cranial techniques, not least because these can be used to treat pregnant women and newborns effectively. Osteopaths also deal with the emotional aspects of birth and past traumas. If you start seeing someone that you like and trust now, you will have built up a good relationship with them by the time you give birth.

To find a qualified craniosacral osteopath near you, contact the General Osteopathic Council (020 7357 6655, www.osteopathy.org).

For more information on natural health, visit my website: www.whatreallyworks.co.uk

If you have any questions or tips, write to What’s the Alternative? Style, The Sunday Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1ST. We can only provide replies to published letters.

Before following any medical or dietary advice in this column, please consult your GP if you suffer from any health problems or special conditions, or are in doubt as to its suitability.