May 2023: What We Covered — Supplements, Herbs and Practical Pharma Tips
May 2023 brought a lot of posts focused on natural supplements and real-world drug issues. You’ll find hands-on write-ups about plant-based supplements (citronella, red clover, skullcap, mentzelia, iboga, oriental arborvitae), plus practical articles on joint pain, medication safety, and environmental concerns tied to drugs like nortriptyline and melphalan. Here’s a short guide to what we published and how you can use that info today.
Top supplements and what they do
We wrote clear, short pieces about several herbal options. Citronella oil was highlighted not just as an insect repellent but as a supplement some readers use for focus and energy. Red clover and skullcap got posts that outline their traditional uses — red clover for skin and hormonal balance, skullcap for general calming and support. Mentzelia and oriental arborvitae were shared as immunity and nutrient boosters. There’s also a piece on tomato-based supplements that explains lycopene and antioxidant benefits for people who don’t eat many tomatoes.
One striking post was about iboga and its strong claims around craving reduction and mental clarity. That one is clearly alternative and should be treated cautiously — the effects can be powerful and not right for everyone. Levamisole made an appearance too, mostly as a historical/alternative-medicine topic; keep in mind it started as a veterinary dewormer and carries risks if used off-label.
Practical drug safety and everyday health tips
We didn’t only talk plants. Several posts dug into real safety issues. There’s a short guide on joint pain and inflammation that connects immune activity to stiffness and gives simple anti-inflammatory moves you can try at home. Another post reminds readers why regular physical activity prevents muscle stiffness — short, practical ideas you can use today, like gentle stretching and daily walks.
We also covered drug-specific concerns. Melphalan and pregnancy got a clear warning: chemotherapy drugs can harm a fetus and need careful timing and specialist advice. Nortriptyline was discussed from an environmental angle — how drug disposal and manufacturing matter to the planet. And we wrote about alcohol’s link to congestive heart failure, with practical advice to watch intake and check heart health with your provider.
Quick tips from May’s posts: always check labels and doses, start new supplements slowly, watch for drug-herb interactions, and ask your clinician if you’re pregnant, on chemo, or taking prescription meds. If a supplement claim sounds too good to be true, read the full article and double-check with a healthcare pro. Want the deep reads? Click any post title from May 2023 to get the full details and sources we relied on.
