Morbid Outlook - Ask Witch Hazel - Readers' Questions: Herbal Remedies and Healing Hearts

I have a friend in her late 40’s which has been diagnosed with gout, she is looking for herbal remedies for the symptoms and pain. Do you have any remedies?
Thank You, Simmah

Gout is a form of arthritis that is directly linked to what we consume. Gout comes about from too much uric acid in the blood. Certain foods, such as milk, liver, kidney, fish, peas and beans have a high purine content which elevates the uric acid content in the blood. Additionally, gout is often seen in those who consume too much alcohol or who crash diet too frequently.

As opposed to an herbal remedy, which will only mask the problem, it is important for your friend to begin an elimination diet. She would need to start with food groups and take them out of the diet to see if it helps improve the problem. Most people will find that there is an allergic response to certain food groups which bring about painful gout episodes.

Which herbs are known to be good aphrodisiacs? Which are good for digestive systems and to even lose weight with? Thank you for your time.

Aphrodisiacs would depend upon the gender. Damiana usually is effective for females while Yohimbe Bark works for males. However, in large quantities, these herbs are toxic, so it is advisable to proceed with further investigation before consuming any such herbal preparation.

As far as digestion, the best defense would be a high fiber regimen. Eating whole fruits and vegetables will help one to not only have a proper digestion, but ultimately help with weight loss as well.

I dated and lived with a man about a year and a half ago. We were both married but separated and he left me to go back to his wife (he said because of his kids). I ended up becoming pregnant and then moved out of state. The thing is, I can not get over this man. I still love him like the day I first told him. I have kept everything that has anything to do with him, e-mails, IM conversations, clothes that he left behind etc. I also refuse to be with any other man because in my head I keep thinking that if I wait long enough he will come back. Have I lost my mind? Am I being stupid for waiting and if so what do I do to get over this. He is the father of my child and he will be in my life forever. Thanks for listening.

First you must remove anything related to this man out of your space. If you can’t throw it all away, then bag it and stick it in the back of a closet until you are ready to see it again at some future time. You cannot hope to heal if you have the constant reminders of him around you.

I wouldn’t call you a fool for longing for this man, because at some time, we have or will be in a similar place. The important thing right now is to find your own space and be around your friends as much as possible. Heartbreak can take quite a long time to get over, and even longer if you continue to torture yourself with the reminders around you daily.

As far as having a child by him, by all means, make sure you file for child support! It is, after all, his responsibility as much as it is yours.

Dear Witch Hazel, Thank you so much for your advice. Your column continues to be a fantastic resource and I look forward to it every month. I wish you all the best, Trish.

I’m glad so many folks enjoy reading my column and find it so useful! Thank you for taking the time to write in. Do drop a line with your questions. Due to the large volume of mail I receive, I may not be able to answer right away or give personal e-mail responses, but do not be discouraged. Your question could turn up in a future column. And whatever holiday you choose to celebrate this winter season, enjoy!