CTS affects people who use the muscles of their hands extensively. Word processors, musicians, artists, almost every professional could be vulnerable.

Today’s column, however, was inspired by my friend at the Administrator General’s department who suffers from this condition.

Dubbed the disease of the computer age, CTS severely affects people to the point where they cannot function due to severe pain and tingling in the hand and fingertips.

Sufferers have tried just about everything to treat this condition, from doctors of every kind to massage specialists, only to be fleeced.

The truth, however, is that the key to this disease is to be found in an appreciation of how the hands function.

The human hand is composed of muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments and 27 delicate bones that all work together with the precision of a fine watch. Human hands have two kinds of muscles, flexors and extensors.

Running from the hand down the front of the fore arms, flexor muscles are responsible for flexing the fingers and the wrists, for closing the fiist and bending the hands down. Extensor muscles travel down the back of the forearm, alowing you to extend your wrist and fingers, open your fists and bend your hand backwards. Do you want to move your hands from to side to side? The flexors and extensors work together to bend your hands towards your thumb or pinkie. Tendons connect these muscles to the finger bones and help transmit the strength of muscular force when a strong grip is required. Also crucial to hand function are the three major nerves that feed the hand and ultimately connect with the cells in the spinal cord and brain allowing you to pull your hand away from painful stimulus or perform a fine movement. Of these three, one figures prominently in the development of CTS, namely the median. The other two are the ulnar and the radial nerves.

With this in mind I recommend the following combination of herbs for relief from this condition:

Ginger. We all know about the power of this herb which is one of the most widely used in Asia. Drinking it regularly can help to alleviate this problem and soaking the affected limb in it is helpful.as it is really a nerve problem involving the need to rebuld damaged nerves.

Skullcap. Readers will recall that this herb is good for all sorts of mental fatigue. Well, it also helps to restore the rebuild and strengthen nerves and restore them to normal function.

St Johnsworth. Coupled with Skullcap, this herb is very effective.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine). This vitamin aids in food assimilation and in protien and fat metabolism, particularly metabiolism of essential fatty acids. It activates many enzymes and enzyme systems. It is involved in the production of antobodies which protect against bacterial invasion. It is good for synthesis of proper action of DNA and RNA. It helps in the health function of the nervous system and brain and it is important for normal reproductive process and healthy pregnancies. It prevents nervousness and skin disorders such as acne. It protects against degenerative diseases such as elevated cholesterol, some types of heart diseases and diabetes. Here’s an interesting story for you. A friend of mine who had been treated by her doctor for years found she wasn’t getting anywhere. It wasn’t until she began to take supplements of vitamin B6 that she and began to experience relief. ‘Nuff said.

B6 may be had from brown rice, whole grains, skullcap, valerian, arnica. One can take up to 50 to 100 milligrams daily, but preferably, in consultation with a doctor. Coupled with exercise, it stimulates circulation and provides relief.

Buckston Harrison is well known for his work as a herbalist, especially in western Jamaica. He resides in Sheffield, Westmoreland.

Huber’s purifying green juice

As we enter what is for many the nutritionally excessive season, it might be a good idea to give the stomach a bit of rest by using the blenders to do some of the work. Green juice is one of the greatest purifers and we should make use of it often.

Today’s recipe is a prime example.

Ingredients

. 1 large cucumber

. 1 stalk calaloo

. 4 leaves mustard

. 6 leaves obush cabbage

. 4 leaves spinach

. A small bundle of parsely, fennel and celery

Method

. Wash and cut up all ingredients

. Blend with water

. Strain and drink as is

. Do not sweeten, this is medicinal food

. Enjoy in small sips and learn to appreciate the flavour

Thomas ‘Bongo Tommy’ Huber is a Swiss national who migrated to Westmoreland’s Retrieve District 10 years ago. He is a naturalist who lives off the land and is deeply involved in an ongoing effort to create Jamaica’s next generation of exotic fruit trees.