Frush Botanicals

Incredibly, the FDA is considering proposing limits on Tylenol, an “in everyone’s medicine cabinet” drug which if used improperly, causes liver failure.  Granted, the after effects are serious, but this also opens our personal medicine cabinet to a host of new limitations, such as Motrin and Advil (ibuprofen), that can cause peptic ulcers and bleeding, in addition to liver or kidney damage.  There is Aleve (naproxen) which can increase risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke.  Also there is risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning.  These “remedies” have always been dangerous, but there have been times which we have had to use them.

I worry about the consequences of the limits.  I know myself, if I have badly sprained a muscle, have a headache or a high temperature, I will take a pill.  I’m not going to a doctor.  Like many American, my husband and I are self-employed, pay for health insurance, but with a $5000 deductible, can’t afford to go see a physician every time we get a minor injury or have a cold.  It cost us $150 for a visit, in which the insurance pays little or nothing.  So we will just have to stockpile our over-the-counter medications.

It also means that physicians can no longer prescribe Vicodin and Percocet which also contains acetaminophen.  Let me try to understand this – is the government telling us that Oxycontin (often called synthetic morphine and highly addictive) along with codeine (also habit-forming), is safer to use than the acetaminophen?  Huh, I guess it is better to have more drug addicts in this world.  We all know that as Americans we are way too stupid to be educated on the use of acetaminophen.

Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t like any of these drugs and am very careful using them for me and my family.  I created Elixer Arnica Sports Rub ^TM because my eldest daughter had a serious sports injury and a delicate stomach.  The last thing I wanted to see was her popping Motrin to reduce her shoulder inflammation and pain.  But I do recognize the need for these non-steroid, anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicines in our homes.  I just hope that the FDA sees the light.

So, since the government clamp is coming down on all of us, I have a proposition for you.  We are now offering a free sample of Elixer per US household; so that you can see what a wonderful job it does combating muscle and joint pain.  Just fill out the on-line form and you should be receiving a packet in the mail in a week or two.