supplement question
I just bought some 5HTP caps/tablets?, Licorice Root caps and Omega 3
gel caps. How many mg should I take of each, and when? Before, with
or after meals, any particular time of day, etc.
Should I add them one at a time and see if there are any reactions? I
noticed a few folks talking about headaches after 5HTP.
Thanks! E Long
April 24th, 2005 at 7:58 am
5HTP should be 100mg - 300mg per day. I’ve not had a problem with
headaches. I take 5HTP about 45 minutes before bed with my other
nighttime vitamins (B6, Niacin, Magnesium). For full insomnia
effectiveness, 5HTP needs a carbohydrate transport, though. “The
sedative effects of 5-HTP can be enhanced by taking it near bedtime
with a carbohydrate source such as fruit or fruit juice.”
~Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.
Karen
April 24th, 2005 at 12:05 pm
No connection with 5HTP, at least in my post. I ignored Licorice and
Omega 3 capsules since I didn’t have direct knowledge.
In the meantime, I looked up licorice in the Encyclopedia of Natural
Health as well as LR4YT. I can’t find any specific references in LR;
ENH has several references, all based on the ailment you are
attempting to treat. Quoting from ENH below:
“In addition to being used to treat a variety of female disorders, it
was used primarily as an expectorant and antitussive in respiratory
tract infections and asthma. Its other traditional uses include
treating peptic ulcers, malaria, abdominal pain, insomnia and
infections. Many of these have been substantiated by modern research.
Licorice is particularly useful in treating PMS, …” {Hmmm. Now you
have my attention.}
“For PMS, start taking licorice on day 14 of the cycle and continue
until menstruation. Here are dosage recommendations for various forms
of licorice, to be taken 3 times per day:
* Powdered root or as tea: 1 - 2 g
* Fluid extract (1:1): 4ml (1 tsp)
* Solid (dry powdered) extract (4:1): 250 - 500 mg
Karen
April 24th, 2005 at 4:12 pm
More interesting reading…
DGL and ulcers: in acute cases 2 to 4 380 mg tablets between or 20
minutes before meals. For mild or chronic cases, 1 to 2 tablets 20
minutes before meals. After meals, poor results. In order to be
effective in healing peptic ulcers, the DGL must mix with saliva; DGL
in capsule form has not been shown to be effective.
I love this book.
Karen
April 24th, 2005 at 8:19 pm
And more on 5HTP:
5HTP can be used to promote “early satiety” and weight loss. 50 - 100
mg 20 minutes before meals for the first 2 weeks; then double the
dosage if weight loss is less than 1 pound per week. +300mg are
associated with nausea, but this symptom disappears after 6 weeks.
Karen