BLOG

capsule moment

WITCH HAZEL:

 The Osage natives of North American used witch hazel bark to treat skin ulcers and sores.  I vaguely remember it being discussed in our pharmacognasy course at UBC.  You must remember the chemical contents….calcium oxalate, gallotannins, safrole as well as chemicals found the essential oil (carvacrol and eugenol).  I certainly don’t!  It was a “druggist”, Alvan Whittermore, who in 1846 steam distilled the plant’s twigs and leaves and produced a product called “Hawes Extract” and recommended it for skin irritations, external hemhorroids and inflammations.  Witch hazel is often found in natural remedies for eczema aftershaves and even for treating insect bites and poison ivy.  I wonder how much money he made on his invention.  Having said that, didn’t a pharmacist invent Coca Cola?

BURNT BBQ MEAT:

 I slip a little reminder on this topic every couple of years to remind people not to grill their meat to the charred stage even though many people love that taste.  It doesn’t matter what type of meat it is, when cooked at high temperatures, it forms heterocyclic amines and polcyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.  The evidence on the harm these compounds may cause is not totally proven scientifically.  It’s hard to do a double-blind study on the topic.  But the experts still advise against eating burnt meat citing a possible increased risk of prostate and colorectal cancer.  They also suggest marinating is a good idea and using a high smoke point oil like peanut oil is best to use as the basis of the marinade.

SINGING FOR THE BRAIN:

 You don’t have to be a singer to partake in the program, you just have to want to sing.  The participants all sit in a circle and everyone is equal.  Some songs have actions to them and when I viewed a video of a group in the program, you couldn’t help but notice the smiles and looks of real joy on their faces.  The relatives of the dementia patients love it too because for some, it has been a long time since they’ve seen their loved one smile.

VAPING AND HEALTH CANADA:

 As mentioned before, Health Canada personnel have been very slow in coming up with regulations on vaping products but they have solicited views from Canadians and hopefully new laws will be released soon.  Vapers would object to their products being treated the same as tobacco products because their “smoke” contains a lot less harmful products. However, many still contain nicotine, propylene glycol, flavourings and traces of heavy metals