Dr. Gott: Alternative controls patient’s RLS
Dear Dr. Gott: Your recent article on hawthorn berries and restless legs syndrome has changed my life.
I use only alternative remedies and vitamin supplements, but I was so tortured that I was about to give in to a conventional option.
The hawthorn berries worked immediately and have continued to be successful for more than two weeks now.
I have suffered since my 30s and am now in my late 50s. I can sit and read, sit around a table and converse and sleep soundly. I am ever so grateful for your suggestion.
Dear Reader: As I have indicated in the past, restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an extremely agitating, tormenting, sleep-depriving disorder in which a person has an uncontrollable compulsion to move his or her legs.
This commonly occurs when in bed attempting to sleep and results in night-walking until the wee hours of the morning.
The hawthorn berry has been used as an herbal supplement since the Middle Ages. It is considered to be a tonic for the heart and is known to contain antioxidant properties.
Today, its use has expanded to assist with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
According to a University of Maryland Medical Center study, people on a hawthorn-berry-leaf-flower extract experienced improved blood flow to the heart, symptoms of failure decreased, and people were able to exercise for longer periods of time without suffering from chest pain than those given a placebo.
This inexpensive supplement is available in capsules, liquid extracts, tinctures and solid extracts.
It is important to understand that herbs contain components that can trigger side effects and can interact with other drugs, whether prescribed or over the counter.
• Write to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th fl., New York, NY 10016.
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